Christmas 2020

Of all the words I could use to describe the build up to this Christmas, words that describe isolation, frustration, hopelessness, fear and bewilderment, the one that continually comes to mind is kindness.

Whether on walks in the park, distanced from others by the two metre obligation, or when meeting delivery drivers at the front door I am constantly struck by their genuine smile and greeting. No word can describe these events more to me than kindness.

Meeting neighbours across a fence or finding a plate of mince pies or chocolates lying at the door as the echo of the doorbell dies away, and no sign of the giver.

With all we have to cope with, which might have made this the worst Christmas ever, it becomes more manageable, more human, more profound by that action we describe as kindness.