Christmas time

I both love and hate this time of year.


Love it being with friends and family, cooking (and eating) yummy food, putting up the lights and the tree, wrapping gifts and letting some of that magical Christmas feeling wander round the house. Love gingerbread and fruit cake and the aroma of glazed Christmas ham.


Hate it being rushed and too busy, navigating traffic and crowds, people who have forgotten their manners and me trying to do too much. Hate the over-commercialism of the whole occasion and the (occasional, make that every year!) delicate (make that robust!) negotiations about where Christmas will be celebrated.


So this year I am making a concerted effort to slow down, do the Christmas things that make our house feel Christmassy and make me feel like the magic is spreading....some baking, a new wreath for the front door, a sparkly tree. I am thinking about the year that has almost passed...about those who are not with us....about the year that is to come and about those who are here to share the joy. I am also thinking about those among us who have lost so much and wishing for everyone some peace at this time of year.


And really, when i find myself getting a tiny bit stressy about the Christmas to do list, it takes only a split second to remind me how blessed I am and what it's really about.


It's about them.

Thinking of all of you with love at Christmas time

An amazing Australian

Earlier this year, I did something I have never done before. I nominated someone to receive an Australian of the Year award. This extraordinary young woman is the person I nominated for Australian of the Year & Young Australian of the Year. I had never nominated anyone before because no-one had moved and inspired me enough for me to do so. When I first came across Carly's loving work here, I was moved to tears by the courage, commitment and love she lives in every little step she takes and every name of a precious lost child she writes on Christian's beach.


In my wildest of dreams I hoped that maybe Carly would be a finalist and we would finally get to meet each other. Well, yesterday they announced the finalists for each state and while Carly isn't a finalist in her home state of Western Australia, I just want to say publicly, Carly, you are a hero, an inspiration and a blessing to all who cross your path. The world is an infinitely better place because you are in it. You are without question, my Australian of the Year!