The 12 Days of Christmas

This Christmas is feeling a little different for me, and I don’t doubt that it is for you too. While we keep hearing it, it is true… 2020 has been crazy. 

Christmas is normally a time for us to connect as a family, give thanks for all that we have and share gifts with those that we love.

And yes, in some regard we will still have the opportunity to do that. Our family (pending no further outbreaks) will be heading down to the South Island of New Zealand for Christmas this year. We will be staying with the in-laws for 3 weeks, and I’m sure it will be wonderful. My sister in law just had her second baby, a wee boy, so there will be a lot to celebrate.

But what I really want to be doing is flying to South Australia to see my parents this Christmas. As many of you know, dear old dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer as we went into lock down. We made the decision at the time that the risk was too great that I would get there, and then not be able to get back to New Zealand. And although there are now flights to Australia, our borders remain closed. As an Australian I can legally vote, work, buy property and live here, but I can’t get back into New Zealand without special permission. So I still can’t go and see mum and dad, thankfully his treatment is working and it would seem we have time. But...

I get the pull on the heart strings that so many of you are experiencing this year. I get the frustration you feel that you can’t be with loved ones, especially when they are sick. I totally understand how difficult this is for your kids to wrap their heads around. I get it.

So I wanted to share my 12 Tips for Christmas in 2020