20/12/2025
💕 Self-Care Sunday 💕
💞 This is YOUR weekly reminder that YOU matter.
💞 “Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.”
– Peg Bracken
💞 The things I love the most about Christmas can not be brought; they are felt with the heart.
💞 I few years ago my siblings and I along with our children organised surprise Christmas.
With our parents aging, our Dad doesn’t cope with a house full of noise (and when we are all together, we are noisy) or the amount of work that goes into one day, so he didn’t want any of us to visit.
Our Mum on the other hand loves Christmas and being surrounded by her family. Whilst supporting Dad’s choice she was disappointed that Christmas for her was changing.
💞 So “Surprise Christmas” was created. On Christmas Day we all started turning up, each of us arriving at different times throughout the morning. Some of us knocking on the front door, others sneaking through the back door.
Every time Mum turned around there was another person that she loved most in the world standing there for her to hug and her tears of joy flowed freely (even Dad was a little emotional).
There was nothing for them to do (we had all taken care of everything, including the food and drinks) except bask in the love of family.
💞 As I was leaving Mum hugged me tight and whilst crying she said “no matter what happens, this will always be my favourite Christmas ever.”
💞 Mum often recalls Surprise Christmas and just knowing how much this one day meant to her makes it my most favourite Christmas too.
💞 The gift of giving and receiving time and love are the presents that create memories that the heart will treasure forever.
💞 As I sit here enjoying a slow Sunday morning, I can honestly say I am the most grateful for the love of my family and the time we spend together.
💞 Self-Care today for me is taking time to treasure the memories of every Christmas that brought my family together. For I am truly blessed.
💞 Gift yourself some time today to feel the love.
💞 NEVER forget that you matter too!
With deep gratitude
Love
Sue 💕