Endings

So the end of Christmas day, a reflective time.
For the last decade or more Christmas Day has been given over to taking the mother in law & her companion out to various hotels - but mostly to Lindeth Fell where they're treated like family - I'd say 90% of the guests know each other & go every year.
Since Mollie went into the home & Bill went to his family in Edinburgh it's gotten increasingly difficult to make this happen but we've managed. Returning with just Mollie this year was a logistical operation as she won't use a wheelchair in public(arghh!) - but we managed. The owners & guests were super pleased to see her - but as ever there were also (inevitably) guests & friends no longer with us. After a fantastic 7 course lunch (only a couple of guests appeared to fall asleep) the owner took us to one side & told us regrettably that in future years they'd only be catering for guests - the logistics have gotten too difficult for them (they're not that sprightly themselves) - and so another chapter comes to a close.
We told Mollie who was very stoic about it - but we did linger to soak up the views. I think in 2015 we might move celebrations at Lindeth Fell to another day of the year altogether.

Today's Blip simply made me think of Santa's long ride home - work done for another year.