Advent signals hope to those who believe, which reaches a peak on Christmas Eve. Working by then to a state of elation, and for me bringing also a troubled relation!

A bit before then I lost spiritual connection, with a task list sprouting in every direction. It felt like a race, I was working at pace, it would have been easier with time for a breather.

'Get over your infertility ... grow up!' she  insulted - ferocious, persistent - and with real ability. Her fury unleashed once she had baby's ring; a brother also set on silencing.

Was I daft to raise my head, maybe it was all best just left for dead? But then again, perhaps it's a reasonable choice, to find a little bit of voice.

The glow of fellowship in mid-December is among the things I prefer to remember
Welcomed warmly to a friendly home, food, lots of chat, an entertaining poem.

Celestial singing another time, sent me winging to a place divine. A nearby simple-seeming evening, leaving my face and spirit beaming.

So instead of my niece venting her spleen, I'll think more about the speech of the Queen.
Measured, dependable and, yes, still here.
We, all three of us, having had a 'bumpy year.'

KW

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash