OH! THE Christmas season has well and truly started for me.

We went out for a lovely Christmas dinner last night with my dear friends Edith and Richard.

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It’s funny how some people that you are friendly with are with you for only a short while – maybe it’s because they are business acquaintances, or ones you meet at social functions.

But proper friends, such as Edith and Richard, are always there, whether you meet often or, as in some cases, only every several years because, say, they live abroad.

My mother used to say ‘Margaret, true friends you can count on one hand’. This may be a bit cynical, but I have found it to be true.

WELL, the tree is up and decorated, the Christmas cake is ready – thanks to Edith – and the mince tarts are cooling in the fridge.

There I go telling lies again, as Edith has also baked those.

Family are going to be with us on Christmas Day for a traditional lunch, which will be eaten a bit late, at four o’clock, as my granddaughter, being in the licensed trade, will be busy at lunch time.

The presents are wrapped, and the crackers are just waiting to be pulled.

So now have I forgotten anything or anyone?

Oh yes, I have. It’s me! Now then, what is it that I want? Well, I want it all and everything to be perfect, but in my heart I know that’s not going to be the case.

But in the end it won’t matter one little bit, because we all want to have a great time and no matter what happens, I know that we will.

My grandma used to say that Christmas was a sad time, as it’s when we remember all those who are not with us anymore.

But I don’t agree, because I like to think that they are all with us smiling and happy.

ISN’T life strange? I have just had a phone call, telling me that Alfred, my elder brother, has died.

Life is so cruel.

The present that I have got him is here on the table as I planned to visit him tomorrow.

Talk about the ‘wind bloweth and we are gone’.

Sorry, I can’t write any more, but I do sincerely wish you all a Very Happy Christmas.