After weeks of raging bushfires, extreme temperatures and tight water restrictions, we were blessed with a most wonderful Christmas present of heavy, heavy rain. The big downpour started Christmas Eve, continued well through the night (I was still up at 2:30, so can vouch for that), and has been sustained throughout much of this morning. In fact, we have even had several showerings of hail, too, allowing us to experience just a hint of a white Christmas.
I haven't checked, but I imagine that snow might even be falling in parts of the state which were burning only last week. I hope this means that all those wonderful fire-fighters can go home to their families - exhausted but relieved - and relish a well-earned break. My brother-in-law was one of those unsung Fireys, and I haven't thanked him yet: on behalf of Victoria, "Thanks Jamie!" - I know everyone is extremely grateful for people like you, even if they don't get around to saying it (and thanks R, S, E, G & B for parting with him at such a critical time).
Our December has been so hectic - on many fronts simultaneously - that I think Mel & I were in danger of 'missing' the simple joy of Christmas. And by that I don't mean we were rushing around the shops, caught up in the commercialism, but instead we were caught up with work and Family Albums and work and general busy-ness. So it was terrific to get to Church last night for an evening carols service, and immediately start to feel like we hadn't completely missed the spirit of Christmas. The service was terrific - the carols sounded beautiful, it was finally raining heavily outside, the childrens' participation was hilarious and Jeff gave a great message aswell. Connor, Darcy, Sam & Eliza - my nephews and neice - were all involved as everything from wisemen to angels, and made it a very, very memorable experience - I SO wish we had taken the video camera, but will just have to savour it in our diminishing memories instead. We then went back to J & K's to enjoy their company, and watch Carols by Candlelight over a glass of wine. Given the choice between watching Hi-5 and Dannii Minogue performing carols, or watching Connor performing his stand-up routine as a wiseman in the local church's nativity story, the latter wins hands down.
This morning has been a relaxed Christmas morning - the VERY BEST kind - and we have listened to some carols while watching Jessica open the first three Christmas presents of her life. She wasn't overly enthusiastic about the first one, but soon got into it. She was very, very tired though (after a couple of very late nights), so it was probably too much to handle first thing in the morning. It was probably no help that cameras were trained on her for a good portion of that time (although she must know by now that this is to be expected by her doting and well-meaning parents). Mel & I finally committed ourselves to not buying each other a gift or gifts, and for once had the resolve to stick to that plan. We figure there is nothing we need, and little we really, really want, so the money could be much better spent where it'll do some good.
This afternoon it's off to Mel's Dad's for a Christmas dinner, then tomorrow it's a Boxing Day Christmas Dinner at my Mum's. It's the first family Christmas she's been able to host in years (she just moved back from Sydney this year), and is very much looking forward to it. Knowing previous years, no effort or expense will be spared in catering so beautifully to everyone (both with regard to food, and in the broader sense also). Then it's back to work for a couple of days before a three week break in early January. At this stage, I'll be asking Mel not to wake me up until around about the 15th, as we are both well and truly ready for a long rest. The Family Albums are almost all completed: Mel's were finished this morning (they're due to be distributed tonight), and I have one more video to finish before mine can be given out tomorrow. Mel's, especially, looks terrific (a 2 Disc collectors edition), but my family will have to make do with a single disc (albeit one with 19 clips). As always, we've used every possible hour before our deadlines, and have resolved that we'll try to start earlier next year. Since they take about a month to do already, and demands on our time will only increase, we're telling ourselves that we'll actually start in September next year. I guess it's possible, but we'll wait and see. I somehow predict that there will always be some album-related work involved every Christmas Eve.
Well I should get back to it. Jessica's sleeping at the moment (poor girl has been down for 2 hours already), so it's the ideal time to finish video number 19 before it's too late. It's obviously already too late for those in the Northern Territory and Northern Ireland, so I'll post a photo of the disc so that you can pretend you have it in your hands today - the real thing will be posted on Wednesday.
Here's wishing you a terrific Christmas and a safe, fun and fulfilling New Year.
Love,
Matt
(I'm off to put the heater on - it's freeeezing!)
