The Other Side of Christmas

I want to start by saying I don’t wish anyone a downer over Christmas, it is, after all, a time to enjoy yourself, give and receive gifts, eat and drink and see friends and relatives, celebrate a birth for those who believe. And of course Father Christmas visits every child in the world (so long as they’ve been good)!

I just think sometimes of the other people around at Christmas. Supermarket, shop and coffee bar staff on minimum wage having to work on Boxing Day, men and women who work with the emergency services on shift all over Christmas and people who may not have enough money to celebrate the holiday in the way they wished, such as this gentleman. The Big Issue seller is a regular in central Stratford, today his wife was also selling copies across the road from him on Bridge Street.

We normally stop for a chat and buy a magazine from one or the other. They are a lovely couple and you have to feel for them standing outside in the freezing wind and rain selling their magazines. Let’s hope they have a good holiday too.

So, it is finally Christmas Eve, the big day tomorrow, here’s wishing every
one of you a very lovely time over Christmas and happiness into the new year!