It has been lovely to hear from you and I am very sorry I haven't managed to
get back in touch - put it down to the stresses and strains of getting ready
for Xmas, which is clearly a big celebration in our country which is largely
Christian. I am not a conformist Anglican myself, but am a member of
Knutsford's Unitarian Chapel, which was built by protestant dissenters in
the 1600's. We are what we call 'low church' and have very little of the
pageantry and wealth of the Roman Catholic church or Church of England, but
we are a lovely community, believing in a simple life and are all very
supportive of each other, rather like the Buddhist religion, I believe. We
have had a busy diary in December, in the run up to Christmas itself, with a
gorgeous Children's Service where the children bring toys from home for the
thousands of children in poverty in Manchester 15 miles away. We also have
a beautiful Carol Service, which is very traditional and heart warming and a
performance of seasonal songs and pieces of music rendered in candlelight in
the Chapel with mulled wine served and baby mince pies. On Christmas Eve we
meet up for a little party, sharing food and drink, with games and jokes and
lots of laughter, and then we go into Chapel for the Midnight Service when
we bring Christmas in. I had a difficult piece of religious philosophy to
read, which went well, and others shared more modern readings, carols and
hymns and embraces! You leave the Chapel feeling at complete peace with the
World.
Christmas itself has been challenging, as I am really missing Tom's Dad, and
have been ridiculously emotional. Better that way than harbouring our loss,
and there have been highlights with lovely memories and time shared with Ben
and Jen, who I visited on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Catherine and
boyfriend Adam arrived a couple of days ago prior to going on to bringing in
the New Year at his Dad's. I am going to a friends and travelling up to
Cumbria, which has been very badly flooded, to the caravan to spend a day
walking in gorgeous, but very soggy countryside, before heading back down to
Manchester to pick Tom up at the airport. It will be lovely to see him
again and pick up all the news. Then it will be countdown to the 23rd
February and my second visit to Bangkok! I can't wait!! I so enjoyed my
last trip and look forward to renewing our friendship again - it was so good
to meet you and I am filled with admiration for your lovely way of being
with people.
Your Christmas gifts have brought me huge pleasure and I think you would be
so surprised to walk around my home and see how lovely the cotton weavings
are. The red and gold one which you gave me when I arrived in Bangkok sits
on my settee in my front room, which is quite grand and 'English Heritage'.
I collapse on the settee there most evening with Seren balanced on my tummy
and your cover protects the upholstery from getting battered! Your
beautiful rug that you gave me for Christmas fits on my landing on the first
floor and looks as though it was made for the purpose. The pinks and greens
match beautifully with a picture of a very old wooden doll which we saw in a
French Doll Museum when the children were little. Seren looks a swell in
her new scarf and Catherine is really pleased with her hair piece. I have
used the massage oil to moisturise my skin which get very dry in the Winter
cold. The pillow got used on the return journey back to the UK and is in my
suitcase ready for February. All set up!
So, again, thank you for being so kind and thoughtful and for putting up
with Tom, who is an absolute pain at times, but I love him very much.