This years festivities bring a little moment of reflection for me. Years have gone by since childhood excitement. That buzz and constant “has he been?”. The freedom of youth which allows magic and sparkle to run wild. But this year has a particular wholesomeness absent from previous. A full circle moment, one might say.
For this weeks blog we are in a different location. Far in the suburbs of the Ribble Valley at my mum’s Country Lodge™, as I call it. It’s not actually a Lodge, but the escape from the city doesn’t half make me feel like it is. Christmas music of all ages plays softly in the background from the kitchen. I can hear the bouncing bubbles of air in her flamboyant tropical fish tank which deepens my relaxation with each pop! Three mesmerisingly beautiful Main Coons bursting in a cacophony of grey, brown & black stare intensely at me, wishing for me to stop all that I’m doing and give them a cuddle. My heart melts as one climbs onto my shoulder and nudges the back of my neck with his nose. We have a snuggle for a few moments. I feel his smile.
The sanctuary that is my mum’s living room is flourished with soft pastels from a comforting feature wall to my left, a gargantuan Bird of Paradise plant grows effortlessly in the corner where wall meets window, shielding us from the outer world. The twinkles of the Christmas tree behind me reflect poignantly in the arched windows before me. A vast smoke-grey fluffy-rug encapsulates most of the floor with an equally fluffy ash beanbag atop it.
A large oak beam stretches at least 3-meters above a beautiful real fire which flickers and roars, desperately trying to mull my crisp glass of Pinot Grigio, warming my finger tips as I type away. Said oak beam is casually draped with a garland embellished with pine cones and teardrop twinkle lights within evergreen branches. Christmas at home really is so comforting. Every adornment to this home is placed with precision and care; a glorious beacon of my mums exquisite taste!
At this moment, I can’t help but wonder… when you hit a certain age does the magic of Christmas disappear? As our worries and lives grow confusingly each day, are we forgetting the joy at this time brought forth every year. Have we become so consumed with mundane lives that take away passion, excitement and happiness? Is this how like is now we are older?
My answer, I know you’re all dying for it, is no! However it is completely different! Those days being blissfully unaware are, of course, so far behind us all. Yes, we will no longer have that burning excitement rendering sleep a helpless and comical idea. Yes, we won’t have the moment on the stairs as our parents make a song and dance about the exciting presents int he living room. Yes, we won’t have to sit at the kids table any longer. We have real life worries now. Real life anxieties and feelings which can sometimes be all consuming. But those anxieties help us to grow and become real, whole people who can celebrate these moments together, build ourselves and nurture each other through these special times.
It is without a doubt that when we reflect, we will all think of loss. The losses we have experienced in our lives, wether great or small, will of course play a huge factor in who we are today. These moments of reflection can feel so desperately sad at times, and can exhaust us. However, we should think of these losses with positivity and remember those beautiful memories you had. Think of the joys of those losses and ensure we learn from them, celebrate them and hold them dear to our hearts. Loss shouldn’t be connected with darkness, but should be coherently linked with growth, empowerment and key parts of our effervescent lives.
This year is not a sad one for me, as I will remember all the losses, whether negative or positive and look back and smile at how they shaped me. All negative losses will have been filled with positivity for the most part, and that’s what I’ll be thinking on. I will be putting aside the losses and ensuring the special moments are which set up shop in my heart and humble me as I keep on living my life!
I hope you all take a moment to enjoy ever single minute of these holidays, count your blessing, live the joy and celebrate your friends, family and loved ones. I would also like to take pause and give thought for those who don’t celebrate, through choice or not, and send a virtual hug to you all. There is always someone close by for you. Just reach out, and surprise yourselves.
As the year of the snake comes to a close and we can shed the negativity, look forth with hope and excitement to the beautiful future we have ahead of us. Take those bold steps into new life chapters, embrace those new opportunities and celebrate your unique transformation and growth! 2026, is OUR YEAR! So grab your loved ones, hug them, kiss them on the cheek and say Merry Bloody Christmas!
Have a great one,
Roro XOXO
Rowan Barr 