Family

It is often said that Christmas is a time for family.

There are, of course, another 364 days in the year, during which we can enjoy the company of our family and - when that isn't possible - just be grateful for them.  Fortunately, I have plenty of daily reminders of how lucky I am, starting every morning with Euan pretending to be asleep when I walk into his room (even when he's been calling my name for 5 minutes) or bouncing off the bed with a mouth full of Shredded Wheat Bitesize.

This Christmas has proven to be a rare chance to catch up with a large part of our close and extended family.  We had plenty of visitors during Christmas week before enjoying a restful New Year in South Creake.  It was there that we heard the very sad news that Tim's Granny had passed away.  The news, although not unexpected, was difficult to take.

I travelled up to Aberdeen for the funeral, which was a mixture of present sadness and happy memories.  It was a special time for catching up with our cousins and with Linda, Robert and Leslie, and we had a lot of stories to tell.  We said goodbye to Granny in a beautiful and peaceful place.  It was when, during the service, Dad and the pastor recalled how proud Granny had been of her children and all her grandchildren (and great-grandchildren) that I really struggled to hold it together.  I have a wonderful family at home, around the country and back in Aberdeen and we are all lucky to have each other for the time we have together.  Granny will be missed, but is with us in the family she leaves behind. x