Eleven days to Christmas Eve and I’ve got to the stage where I’m not exactly panicking but wondering whether I have missed out one of my nearest and dearest in the present stakes. It’s much more about getting the right thing rather than the latest fashion or trend. Yes, I know the spirit of Christmas is much more than just presents, whether giving or receiving, but on the whole we live such modest lives, it would be nice to give (and receive) something which is a treat and a surprise.
Before we lived here in Uphill, we used to come down each Christmas – when my Dad was alive we would come home to home, and after he died we came down to have my sister who is in residential care home with us, and then we were fortunate enough to move her! Now my children have left home although I’m fortunate that they are not far away and will both spend the day with us – and a few days after too! Father Christmas still visits each year and I have been in touch with his elves to ensure that those in the family who have been good will get recognition for their kindness and thoughtfulness.
Apparently today is St Folkwin’s Day and this is what Wikipedia says about him in essence:
St Folcwin, date of birth unknown, died 855 AD in Esquelbecq. He was a Frankish abbot, cleric and appointed Bishop of Thérouanne in 816. He was a contemporary of Notker of Liege and venerated in the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church on 14 December.
Esquelbecq, in case you are wondering, is a commune in the Nord department in northern France. Thérouanne is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Hauts-de-France region of France, located 6 miles west of Aire-sur-la-Lys and 8 miles south of Saint-Omer, on the D157 and D341 road junction. It is located on the river Lys.
Lois Elsden 