As we count the days leading up to Christmas, there are a few thoughts mulling around in my head.

I love this time of the year. I know that not everyone does and that’s okay. For me, it’s always been magical. I must admit though, that I only ever pretended to believe in Father Christmas, (I saw my dad filling the stockings in the British Hotel), but I still awoke to the surprise of a new doll under the Christmas tree. I adored it all: The sparkly lights, the tinsel, a dining room decorated with huge paper balls and streamers on each table, Mass in the tiny Catholic church in Simons town, the Christmas feast, smiling strangers, dashing sailors in white uniforms …. and my Irish granddad. These celebrations are all tucked away in my mind’s eye.

Of course, I have had my share of less-than-sparkly Christmasses. Haven’t we all? But that isn’t what this post is about. This season, I want to focus on the important things. Love and truth are up there. So are authenticity and keeping things real. Giving and receiving are always a part of my season. If I give you a gift, it is because I really want to. Ringing true is becoming more and more important as each year goes by. I’ve always been uncomfortable with fakeness. People pretending to feel things they don’t actually feel, make me sad and uncomfortable, which is why I go out of my way to surround myself with the real deal. Don’t get me wrong. I’m still a party gal and always will be, as long as we’re gathering for the right reasons.

I’m waving my wand to grant you a Christmas filled with things that make you truly happy. Be generous to a fault. It’ll come back to you, I promise. Giving is the new receiving, especially this year. Try not to fight with anyone but also don’t pretend to have feelings that simply aren’t there. It is never believed anyway.

Thank you all for being part of my life in 2022. You have added more than you can possibly know and I hope that I have done the same.

Thank you too, to people who have inspired me from a distance. There are so many of you on my timelines and I have loved interacting. The world is full of real, courageous, loving people and I hope to stay connected, in one way or another …