Dear LPG,

I took this picture a couple of years ago and I would be lying if I said that I took it just before that year’s Christmas, but it was near enough and it inspired what I wanted to say today…

In my humble estimation, this is the time of year when many of us are looking forward to Christmas.  I am writing this about a month in advance and hoping that, with only four days to go, we are still on target for a Christmas that we can safely enjoy again, but many of us are looking forward to it for reasons that are not so positive.

I very much hope that during the period between the time of writing and the day of posting, nothing happens to force the government to change their minds about allowing us to get together with our families on the day.  If that is going to happen it will be apparent by now.   

That aside, while a lot of us are finishing our last-minute Christmas preparations, there will be many people who will be looking forward to spending it alone again and, while some will do that by choice most will not, and that is not good.

If you have to be alone, it is likely that you have been, or will also be alone today and for most of the days during the foreseeable future, and that you are getting used to it which is something that those of us who have family and friends around us will seldom even think of.

In the middle of winter, the days are short and looking through the window at a dark lonely night that starts before tea time, or a dark early morning that is still apparent at breakfast time, must sometimes be the worst feeling.

But it is worth remembering that today is the day that the darkness has drawn in as far as it is going to be allowed to for this year.  If LPG have posted my message on the day I asked, Stonehenge will be celebrating this fact at 08:04 this morning and we can all at least look forward to the start of the lighter nights and warmer days...

OA, Bellingham.