Chestnuts roasting on an open fire

In many ways I can't believe a year has passed since my last Christmas feature and yet, in many other ways I can't believe so much has happened since then. It would be easy to become a little depressed at this time if you think of how many people left us in 2016 both those close to us and much loved musicians and actors. I can't remember another year quite like it. Then there was Brexit over here in the UK which has somewhat divided the country. The election of Donald Trump in the USA which has also been the cause of some division in America. There has been much this year that has revolved around extreme positions with little in the way of middle ground. To my dismay the world seems a much more divided place at the end of this year than it did at the end of last year. I didn't think that was going to happen. So often in life you don't know what is going to happen and you can't really plan for it. For most of us our lives just continue and we have our daily troubles to deal with just as we did before and just as we will tomorrow. Well that is the way it has always been. I have little faith in those that run our countries and I find Christmas to be a most cleansing time. I spend my life trying to be the best "me" I can be. Christmas gives me a chance to really enjoy the love I feel all year round for my fellows. 
I revel in the trappings, traditions and nonsense that Christmas has become. I love Christmas songs (well, most of them ) and old Christmas movies. I put them on like the biggest winter sweater and rejoice in their warmth. I can forget about the bigger troubles in the world for a few days and I absolutely love these few days. Being with those I love will be even more important this year as there are two notable dear friends who will be missing. It means I will make the most of the time I have with my those close to me. It means more than ever before. Just being with these people and being alive are my greatest gift this year. Nothing will top that. I have never been more aware of my own mortality and the mortality of those I love. I will never take another moment on this planet for granted as long as I live. Every moment is a gift and I will use every moment to its maximum. 

                                                                                       ‘’No space of regret can make amends for one life’s opportunity misused.’’  Dickens

I am a lucky guy. I know that. There are many people in the world much worse off than me. It is to these people that I turn my attention at this time of year. There is a guy called Peter who is homeless. He lives in London and I see him once a month as I walk along the Thames to visit a client. He sells the Big Issue charity mgazine near Blackfriars Bridge. We always speak to each other and I buy my copy of the magazine from him. I found out that he likes Hot Chocolate and sweet things in general. He has nothing in the world other than what he stands up in. Last week I bought him a large hot chocolate, a gingerbread muffin and a chocolate brownie. I stood with him and drank my coffee while he enjoyed his treats. He had tears in his eyes as he thanked me but he said that what he really thanked me for was for the time I spend with him just saying good morning and passing the time of day each month and for not just giving him his treats and going straight away. Those few fleeting moments which I spend with him mean so much to him. More than anything I can give him. It was a lesson to me that what means little to you can mean so much more to someone else. And that this is often a small thing. People remember the small things that have a special meaning to them. I don't tell you this because I think it makes me look good I tell you this so you might also be able to affect someone's life in a positive way by not doing very much but by doing the thing that they really appreciate. It really can be something very small.

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So at this time of year please find it in your hearts to be kind to those less fortunate than ourselves. Help an elderly neighbour if they need it. Get them some shopping, make them a coffee, sweep their path. 
Maybe they too lost someone this year and find themselves alone for the first time this Christmas. If there is anything you can do to help someone just do it and give them a big smile. A smile is infectious. It spreads quickly and it spreads far.

I wish I was a child again. I used to be so excited at this time of year. I couldn't sleep for my excitement. I wanted so much to hear those sleigh bells in the night on Christmas Eve and press my face to the cold window to see Santa and Rudolph flying across the sky. I never did see them but I never stopped believing. OK, I might not actually believe in Santa in the same way but I believe in the magic that Santa and his reindeer represent. In fact I have that excitement in me right now as I write this. I hope you do too. It is a lovely feeling to have. 

Now I would like to share some art with you. More beautiful images from you amazing people. It is such a treat to look through all the pictures that appear in my in box. This is a selection from those I have favourited since my last feature. You all just fill me with awe. I love your pictures and I love your creativity and I love your friendship. I love all of you for all your kindness towards me.
Please enjoy these pictures and fav any you like and maybe, if you have time, let the artists know by dropping them a brief comment. Thank you so much for your time. 

                    

                      

               

                                           

                                  

                   

Remarkable dust of sandWhen you feel insignificant as if you're only just a grain of sand, a microscopic particle whom nobody notices Maybe you're a granule in a desert, a pellet on a riverbottom, a spark of light or a gliding fragment in a sunlit dusty room...When you're feeling frail as if the slightest windblow could sweep you away and you think you're worthlessEase your senses and remember how you beat the odds when you came to exist and how wonderful it is to have life's mysteries to ponder about all the good and all the bad are opportunities to learn and evolveRemember that you have a voice of your own, a life only you can lead Don't ever lend that power t...        <da:thumb id="651064092"/>                                       

                 

                   

                       

               

                     

                           

              

          

               

                     

                                

               

                 

                     

                   

            

                 


Thank you all so much for looking through these pictures. I hope you found something to enjoy

All that remains is for me to tell you all that I love you. I love my time here on dA with all of you. I wish I had more time. Despite my best efforts, work still takes up too much of my time. That fact does, however, make the time I can spend with you all the more precious. 
I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2017. Things can only get better. 
Be with the ones you love. Spend your time doing the important things, the right things. Don't let your life be taken over by small irritations. Love those who are dear to you and let them know. 
Smile and be happy. Enjoy your time on this planet and enjoy your time with each other.
I love you all