I have come to the conclusion that having more time on my hands to ponder instead of waking up with a 'to do' list in my head is a double edged sword.
We have spent many of our recent Christmas Days away from the UK over the last few years, skiing, Wales and Cyprus, but with the thought of a return to the UK only ever a few days away I can conclude that I have never really switched off from everyday thoughts and life. When booking those trips away in the past I have done it with a nonchalant attitude to not seeing certain family members and friends over the Christmas period. But when we hooked up on Christmas Day via Facetime with those very people, I found myself missing them terribly. It was the first Christmas Day that we were not with Sam (had to happen at some point I guess) and seeing our parents with their Christmas hats and glasses of bubbly was a tug to my heart.
But in the cold light of Boxing Day, with the sun shining again and another Christmas dinner in store at my Aunty Pat and Uncle Chris' house, perspective rules again. As Dee sits next to me on her laptop and I sit here typing she quietly comments "what would we do without our technology?" I couldn't agree more :). It has enabled us to have some wonderful emails and virtual meet ups with those we love. Tears and smiles from Vicky with a promise to look at flights to Cyprus in the next couple of days :)
So a swim in the med on Christmas day with Daniel Craig, sunbathing to warm up afterwards and then drinks by the pool upon our return is what I will choose to remember about yesterday. Dad and Dee put on a fantastic day for us and we opened presents up and watched the SCD Christmas Special, so all was well with the world. Tradition eh!!!
We will lose our hire car next Tuesday, so Mike and I will go to the local farmers market tomorrow, see my cousin Graham play and sing in a local bar in the evening, have a meal with friends on Sunday and off to Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus on Monday to make the most of the car. Then it is buses and walking for us. To be honest, Mike could do with the exercise, he is growing a food baby.... I am in serious trouble now :)
I promised myself Christmas off from thinking and doing too much, but activity calls and over the next couple of days I will begin to plan our travels. In true 'drive Mike mad' Michelle style, I will research and put together an itinerary that my friends will sigh and roll their eyes with a "typical Michelle" aside. Oh yes, New Years Eve around the corner now. Don't worry, we have so many sparklers you will be able to see us all the way from the UK :)
Mum had a moment after your "facepage" (as mum calls it) session and had a few tears. Sam jumped straight in to give her a huge hug and I think the two of them comforted each other, it was a lovely moment in a strange kind of a way.
ReplyDeleteShe is loving seeing you on the screen and is flabbergasted by the technology that allows her to see you as if you were right there. I think it really helps that if she wants, mum can see you any time :)
Sam (or Salmon as mum called him once in error and I continue to call him lol) was amazing yesterday, we had a fantastic day, he joined in with everything, including a quiz and 2 quick games of "who wants to be a millionaire" (which he failed to even get to £1000 both times). I was incredibly proud of our boy yesterday (and always)and he is doing you proud by the way he is being whilst with mum and John. xx
Hi Trace, thank you so much for this update, it has made me feel better and I am glad to hear that Sam being there is positive. We still struggle to be proud, he makes it immensely difficult for us. We miss him more than I can articulate and mike is still so upset that he left but it is done now. I truly hope he will want to come and see us at the end of March because we definitely don't want a duty visit.
ReplyDeleteTake care Trace and don't forget you are welcome to join us here in sunny Cyprus so get saving
Lots of love
Michelle xxxx
Happy New Year to you all :D
ReplyDeleteFirst day back and I've just caught up with your blog! Glad you enjoyed your Christmas day swim! xx