love | findmywhy

Here’s hoping that Christmas soaks into your being, this season of goodwill, love and spirituality. This time of year fills us with many memories, some will fill us with beautifully warm feelings and for so many will bring an ache of loss, grief and sadness to our hearts. I have met so many in the past days, weeks and months who are sharing this identical burden, the heartache is etched on so many faces. I can only implore you the sing, (even hum along under your breath) dance and celebrate this holiday, if you can, and always give plenty of hugs to our loved ones, friends and family who might be aching this Christmas. Make it a Christmas for EVERYONE.

Shane, “You did so good” and the beautiful legacy you leave behind is just amazing.

My 2023 Visitors. Butterflies and Robins. The bulk of my Christmas Blog was written, 17’500 miles from home in the Southend Hotel, Maroubra, Sydney, Australia, as I visited my brave, strong and wonderful daughter Elaine and beautiful grandson Rory in Sydney. It’s been a year of emotional roller coasters, from the very top to the very bottom. With Mam’s passing came a change in my life that is still being processed. But the highlight of this year has been the constant companions of Robin’s and Butterflies. Someone is letting me know that they are still around and with me and each and everyone of us. There is enough written on the internet about this phenomenon to fill many a library, suffice to say that the company has been comforting, softening, soothing and so very welcome.

The well-known phrase, ‘When robins appear, loved ones are near’, alludes to the belief that the robin is a messenger. When robins are seen, some people take comfort that loved ones are at peace, and many believe that their lost loved ones are visiting them.

A passed loved one is watching over you. If you’ve recently lost a family member or friend, they may reappear as a butterfly to let you know you’re not alone. Many people take this as a sign that they’re loved one is well and continues to guide them.^[1]

Try saying “hi” to the butterfly to return your loved one’s warm welcome or say a silent prayer in greeting.

Grief, this universal experience and yet, a totally individual journey. The loneliness of the journey. The physical impact, the tears, the mental confusion, anger and the ache, oh yes, that ache that seems ever present. I understand this will be a journey of years. Grief, a single word for the most complex of life changing events that is a universal experience.

They say that grief is the price we pay for love and the more significant the person was in your life story the deeper the change we will experience. A very special word of praise to those family members who spent so much time caring for the great Helen. Giving Mam the independence she so cherished.

RTE has had the worst of years this 2023 and the dust is far from settled but there is something that is worth saying, RTE is an incredible source of solace, belonging and comfort to a huge Irish diaspora the world over. As you sit it whatever far flung place you may be, to be able to tune in, and listen to our National Radio, and our great presenters, to Ray, John, Joe, Shay, whomever, It is just excellent content, full of our common Irishness, friendliness, warmth, inclusivity and welcome. Supporting public broadcasting is so important. Support it through its tough times in any way you can.

Happy Christmas Everyone. Pray for and more importantly, pray to, those who have gone ahead, Pray for those who travel an uncomfortable and VERY bumpy road. Pray and be thankful for being able to read and understand the meaning of this message.

To the beautiful people who support our nearest and dearest and many more besides, through the toughest of times and moments, I do not have the words to thank you enough. You know who I am taking about. God Bless.

Below is one of my favourite YouTube Chefs. As it would be, it is Andy Cooks, a Kiwi, now living and working in Australia. He is a no nonsense chef, with great hints on doing things fast and really well. I just followed his vegetables tips in this recipe, as well as brining my turkey and it worked out perf. Follow him if you like. I do.

Peace and comfort to you this time of year. As always, the links in this blog have been checked and are all OK. If for whatever reason you don’t want to hear from this blog, just let me know and I’ll remove you from my circulation list.

I know, I know, I’m a devil for editing my live posts, which is not the wisest of ideas. However when I see something relevant to the overall blog, I tend to update. My absolute favourite Christmas song (Driving Home for Christmas) and one of my favourite humans, Chris Rea were featured on a show on the box-in-the-corner (TV) last night. It was just lovely, and great to see him in his usual good form, health issues aside.

RESERVED for my 2023 Travel Vlog: You will have revisit this blog on sometime in the future to see my travel vlog to Maroubra, Sydney NSW. Hopefully it will be worth watching. Seasons Greetings…..