Your Christmas card...

Me and my teddy. Aged 2, or 3 I think.
(me that is, the teddy was much older.)
             

Christmas has made a tentative start for me this morning with the help of the wonderful children of the Liosmor Mochuda National School. I was invited to their carol-service-with-a-difference.
Their imagination worked wonders again. The Christmas story was told in song and play, with a modern twist: The cost for the rent of the stable was discussed, "that's too much, boy" (a very local expression); the shepherds wore tea towels on their heads; Maria explained how to read books and how to use a laptop. Maria and Joseph communicated via skype...
Some of the children were just pleased to be in the limelight, their only focus was their parents in the audience. Some wonderful errors were made: "...And the baby will be called Joseph. Oh, Jesus".
Where else would you find it?

Until today I just couldn't get my head around Christmas, and even now it is still a bit of a blur to be honest. Every year, even the years that I was unable to do much of anything, I made, and posted Christmas cards. And enjoyed doing so. This year I've made none, and posted none.
This doesn't mean that you, my friends and readers, are not on my mind. On the contrary. I know that if it wasn't for your kindness, compassion, love and care I would not be alive today. With your support I managed to stay in the present moment and although there were hard at times, I was glad to be alive. Waking up in the morning was all that mattered.
So what happened this year?
It feels like Christmas has come too soon. It doesn't seem twelve months ago that I created a handmade book, which became Flying on Little Wing; The winter hasn't started; Or maybe I just don't have the energy to put into the Christmas this year, maybe I am finally listening to my body's messages, and not do what is expected in a way.

Possibly the most important thought about this year's Christmas is about the people that have absolutely nothing. Not even a house.
I remember the time that I was at the brink of homelessness. I had one day left in rented accommodation and was pretty much bed/house bound at the time. Bed bound but homeless.
When these thoughts arose, I decided to go with my feelings, and make a donation to Focus Ireland, an Irish charity for the homeless with the special interest in woman and children, instead of spending money on Christmas cards or presents.

So my dear friend, here is an abstract from an email from Focus Ireland, which is Your Christmas card and present.


Thank you for your support over the years. For your friendship, your love and compassion. 
From the deepest part of my being, I wish you a peaceful and healthy year ahead. 


Lots of love
Corina
and Focus Ireland

Dear Corina Duyn,

On behalf of people who are homeless and all at Focus Ireland thank you so much for your donation in support of our work.

Last year more than 5,000 people used our services; we are there for everyone who needs us, regardless of their status. In Focus Ireland we are committed to helping people out of homelessness and supporting them to move on with their lives. We offer residential programmes to young people leaving state care in Dublin and in many of our housing developments across the country. Our Caretakers Hostel and Crisis Intervention Service were all developed to work with youngsters who are homeless, these projects provide young people with a safe place away from the streets, as well as someone to help them make choices that will move them out of homelessness. Our Aftercare Programmes also work with young people who are in accommodation outside of Focus Ireland, helping them to settle in and providing them with the support and care that most young teenagers take for granted.

This support means we can continue to identify and develop much needed services. We truly could do little, without the support of so many people like you who share our belief that everyone has a right to a place they can call home. Thank you.

Yours sincerely

Fiona Griffin
Fundraising Officer
Donor Care

ps... As always it is lovely to know that you stopped by to read my musing and follow my creative adventures. It would make my day, if you leave a comment... preferably here, on the blog...?

Many thanks & Lots of love
Corina