The last blog of an eventful and somewhat blighted year which began with a lockdown and ends with a quasi-one in the UK with people duly terrified by messages from our leaders imploring us to be very afraid.
But Christmas arrived anyway and remains most people’s favourite time of the year. A time for family and neatly positioned ahead of the New Year, when our attentions turn to renewal and we are all high on hope and determination for the year ahead.
But can we please spare a thought for the workers.
Those people who make Christmas what it is. The workers who remain grafting so that others can put their feet up. Let’s hear it for the foot soldiers – the workers in shops, garages, bus drivers, milkmen, bar staff and restaurateurs, the myriad delivery drivers and let’s not forget the clerics…
The omicron variant arrived and laid waste to so many people’s plans. Manna from heaven for some, the work shy? – but a disaster for those workers less well provided for and with less options.
Our Christmas is different because for the first time since Paddy arrived, we are five and not six – and one of us present is confined to his room. Our ex-neighbour (86-year-old man living alone) usually joins us for lunch but not this year – so I drove a plate of dinner to his new flat as rapidly as possible and without being fined – because the cameras keep working of course. The new 20mph limits has me praying he has a microwave.
And to today, Boxing Day in my book – always a day to cherish. A huge pie with all the Xmas leftovers is my favourite meal of the year and later this evening, my second trip to see Spider-Man No Way Home is neatly split by a quick family round of golf. A four ball on the course where we all learn’t to play the game – and some of us are still very much learning.
Harry, Sam, myself and this year a new golfer, Nikki Holland, fed up of feeling excluded from dinner table discussions about missed putts and shear bad luck. Tess is along also but only for the walk.
With the ground completely sodden, Sam’s all-time Holland low score of 24 at this 9 hole gem seems safe enough although Harry has a steely resolve about him. My lowest score is 27 but I don’t have any records in my sites – I just want to beat my twins.
Which doesn’t happen and is perhaps me just being kind and giving them a further Christmas present. Not a bit of it, I’m afraid.
Harry finishes first at +1, Sam +3 and the old fellah limps home with +5. Nikki is some way back but she did get a single par and this will be enough for later when we finally sit down to our pie.
So, Happy Christmas everyone and thanks to the workers again. The people who cannot down tools like everyone else…
The nurses in hospital, the emergency services and yes, I guess the bloggers also…
Because, I suppose that this is my job. Kind-of anyway. And I did begin writing this post on Christmas day, so I guess that I am working too. So I am a working hero also?
No, I hear you.
Too much of a leap, right?
Sure, but today does happen to be a Sunday – the day that I always post with tens of people across the globe have become used to and expectant. So what if I hadn’t posted today? Imagine the disappointment…
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In the next few days, our thoughts will turn to self-improvements with resolutions and various promises we make ourselves. For those who might be determined to read more in ’22, maybe 12 books a year for the ambitious, 6 for the more realistic…
Then perhaps put a strong step forward by starting with something quick and easy to read, like a novella perhaps?
Hobbs’ Journey – is published on 2nd Jan – exclusively to Amazon because I want to help Mr Bezos get into space again.
A short story about a London tramp called Hobbs. It will make you smile and feel good. The story can be pre-ordered here.
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I am finishing the year strong because last week I finally got to it. The subscribers to my mailing list not only heard from me, but they received one of my books for FREE. You can join here and receive your book also. Everyone welcome. Thank you.
Happy New Year to all my readers wherever you are in the world.
A great tribute to workers all over the world during this festive yet busy time.
Happy Christmas to you all and I’ll be sure to preorder Hobbs’ Journey
Merry Christmas Dominic and Family, wishing you all health and happiness for 2022
Solo les deseo un Feliz Año 2022, lleno de Bendiciones y mucha salud para usted y toda su familia, Abrazos.
Saludos!!
Hi! I’m from Poland but I love reading your blogs and I’m always waiting for them. I am glad that you can spend this Christmas time with your family (I am a little lonely this year). I’m going to buy your new book because it seems so cool. I wish you and your family a healthy and Merry Christmas, especially at this time.
Oi dom
I wish you and your family . Hope ,
health and peace for 2022
We’re together friend ??
Hi, I love to read your blog, and it’s my first time leaving a comment—Merry Christmas to you and your family. Stay healthy always! Love from Indonesia.
welcome along man – you are not alone (thankfully)
Lovely blog as always Mr. H, Merry Christmas to you and yours and happy Boxing Day to you as well. I can’t wait to read your new story,lol.
It’s beautiful to see such introspection on a day where most are reaping the benefits of what they have. Despite not celebrating Christmas, I can appreciate the beauty of family and togetherness being ever present despite physical distance. Wishing your family a lovely remaining week of the Christmas holidays ❤️
Merry Christmas to you all. Another great blog. This year is definitely a year to give thanks to everyone who has helped us all stay healthy, get deliveries, get to where we need to be. I hope those who have carried on through Christmas get a chance to relax and feel appreciated. Great to see Mrs H joining you guys for golf. Hope you have a great New Year.
Hi Mr. Holland,
I’ve been reading your blogs since you’ve posted that photo of you, Tom and Emma Watson (that was a catchy one!), but it’s my first time commenting here… Just wanted to wish you and your family an amazing 2022! Really love to read your blogs and I’m always waiting for you to write a new one.
Greetings from Portugal! 🙂
Gree
welcome along – the holland’s love Portugal
Merry Christmas Dominic and Family
Hi Dom,
I read your book ‘Ripple Effect’ and one other years ago. Amongst the hundreds of books I’ve read over the years (now middle-aged), the message of that one stayed with me as I found your work very insightful, how our actions have a ‘ripple effect’ in our lives. Most people don’t think about this. And I remember that book being really funny.
Over the years with young children etc. life getting the way, not had much time to read, so been pleasantly surprised to come across you again, and will add your work to my ‘to-read’ list.
Best wishes,
Freha
hey Freha, what a heartening comment. Recently in a discussion re my books, I singled out The Ripple Effect as my funniest effort to date (subjective of course) and I despite its male protagonist (after a female in Only in America), I contest that TRE is a romance also and written with female readers in mind. Great to hear that it stuck with you. Creating a print version is on my long list of things to do…