Is there caffeine in Lemsip? Cold symptoms were alleviated nicely in the night but the old brain was abuzz. Still, can't have everything, I suppose. Will take it easy this morning before going to pick up Mum to spend Christmas with us. There'll be nine of us on Christmas Day as we have various waifs and strays visiting us, friends of the kids, seeking refuge from the horror and tedium of family Christmases. I take it as a compliment that they want to come here but feel sad at the need to escape their families. What is it about families at Christmas? I know I used to dread them when I was in my teens. After the brief pleasure of the four of us opening presents Christmas morning it was time to put on best clothes as grandmother would be arriving to turn her nose up at our presents and criticise my mother's cooking. Not a nice lady. Boxing Day was even worse, cooped up all day in grandmother's tiny flat with not even a garden to escape to. I felt sorriest for my father, forced to be polite to a woman who made it most obvious that he was not good enough for her daughter. The atmosphere was tense, to say the least. But every year it was the same and no one dared suggest it could be different.
Christmas can be an ordeal, a case of grit your teeth and get it over with.
After a couple of horrendous Christmases, year before last the beloved family dog had to be put to sleep on Christmas Day, last year I had to pretend everything was fine knowing my husband was having an affair with someone else; I have no expectations of Christmas, no pre-conceived ideas of the 'perfect day'.
This year, with just ourselves to please, we will take it as it comes. My grown up kids can get up when they want to, I may well spend the day in pyjamas, I'll cook Christmas Dinner but that's it, if anybody wants anything else they can get it themselves. The Wii will be set up upstairs so anybody (including myself) can escape the awful Christmas telly if they so desire. Trivial Pursuit will be played but on-one will be forced into it. The kids and their friends will probably go to bed at about the same time Grandma gets up the next day and I really don't mind who sleeps where.
My Mum, bless her, will be a bit worried about spending the day with so many young people, but I know she'll end up enjoying herself. She's not in the least prudish and is game for a laugh, nothing like her terrifying mother, thank the gods.
Anyway, to anyone who is reading, have a lovely Christmas and here's to a happy, healthy New Year.
