Counting blessings

Two weeks into my 61st year and it really is time to let birthday cards give way to Christmas.

Taking them down from their perches among the books, it seems only right to acknowledge the importance in life of the family and friends who gave them, and the great pleasure they bring.

PS there is a pattern to the pile, if you look carefully, which will reveal the very varied characters of the givers, or perhaps more likely of the strangely varied versions of ourselves we present to those we know.