It’s been an eventful week for us. My Auntie Agnes had a stay in hospital, so I’ve been up in Aberdeen for a few days with her.
As usual I was overwhelmed by the kindness shown to us by the nursing staff. I don’t think anyone would disagree that they deserve so much more financial reward for what they do.
It would be a scary time for everyone, and a very anxious time for those people whose treatment is delayed, if the planned strikes take place… But what are they meant to do with the pressures they are under both financially and workload wise?
It’s our turn to support nurses
Let’s hope the government steps in and helps before it comes to that.
Clapping for the nurses every night during lockdown means nothing if we don’t support them in their hour of need, like they did for us.
They don’t earn enough for the incredibly important job they do. Being a nurse or a carer is a wonderful thing to do as a job and we need to recognise this and support them all the way.
Spending time in the real world, I missed out on the crazy world of ‘I’m a Celebrity’ but I don’t think I missed much!
It seemed like it all got a bit boring because Matt Hancock was chosen to do every single trial and it became the Matt Hancock show.
He is great at the trials, is very brave no matter what trial he is given, and he seems to be a good team player, but I personally can’t get over the fact that he just shouldn’t be there.
I think the other celebrities have tried just to rise above the shock of who is sharing the camp with them and just do their best to all get on. However, the real test will be when people start getting voted out. Surely, he will be the first to go but stranger things have happened.
Christmas adverts reflect importance of time
So, as you know my all-time favourite shop is John Lewis and I always like to see what their Christmas advert is going to be.
This year when things are tough for a great many people, I think they have got it just right. It doesn’t seem the time to have a big sparkly advert with a table laden with expensive food and trees surrounded by luxury gifts, when that is so far from many people’s reality.
Christmas is not about presents but about love
This year John Lewis have done away with the huge emphasis on Christmas magic with their usual cute characters and a huge budget advert. Instead, they tell the story of a dad trying to master the art of skateboarding with many bumps along the way.
The tear-jerking moment is at the end of the advert when a shy teenager with a skateboard under her arm arrives for Christmas.
We realise she is going to be fostered by this family. Her ‘would be’ foster dad wants to make her welcome, not with expensive presents under the tree, but with time and effort, and wanting to share her hobby with her, despite his injuries along the way.
What a beautiful story emphasising that Christmas is not about presents but about love.
John Lewis asked for advice from Action for Children and also Who Cares? Scotland in order to raise awareness about young people in the care system, especially at Christmas, a time when most of us are lucky enough to be surrounded by families who love us.
My daughter Emily teaches drama in a school where most of the children are in care or have had very tough lives.
They showed the kids the ad and it was emotional viewing for them.
Emily phoned me to say how one little boy had said, “Oh, I wish someone like that would adopt me”.
Emily just wanted to say, “I will!”
Supporting charities with festive sales
If this advert has touched you as well, John Lewis is selling selected products online and in store from their ‘shop happier futures range’ which includes a very special teddy bear you can spot in the advert. These sales support the charities above.
I know that the John Lewis store has closed now in Aberdeen but shopping is still available online.
I decided to buy one of the bears to send to a very deserving child that you readers suggested. Just let me know by email who they are and why you want them to have the bear.
I will send it to someone.
By the way, Agnes is much better and is home now, and her lovely friends are making sure she relaxes.
Have a good week,
Yvie x
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