A very thoughtful Christmas

Gaby Roslin gives thanks

Someone just asked me, ‘What will you be doing for Christmas this year?’ and I answered as honestly as I could. I have no idea. This year has been so extraordinary in every conceivable way. I am the sort of person who lives in the now, but this December seems to call out for us to think back, take stock and work out what we have learned.

Christmas is a time of wonderment, families, friends, thoughtfulness and kindness. Let’s make this year more thoughtful than ever. I am the person who likes to see good in everyone, and who likes to giggle her way through tough times. This year has been no exception. I have skipped, laughed, walked, chatted, exercised, sung and worked my way through another year, but hopefully I have learned a big lesson: being grateful.

I think, if I am completely honest,

I took a few things for granted. I don’t like that I may have done that in the past, but at least I’m being honest. I was brought up to always say thank you. But when I said thank you in a restaurant, did I really think about the kitchen staff? Was I appreciative of the work that had gone into cooking and preparing my meal? I will never again take for granted the supermarket shelf-stackers or the delivery drivers. Somehow

I have now learned to say an even bigger thank you.

I know I’m lucky to wake up each day healthy, and to have a wonderful family. I’m also extremely lucky to work in my industry – the industry full of vision, hope and enlightenment; the industry that we all turn to via our TV sets or our laptops and phones. We have laughed at This Country, fallen in love with Normal People, re-watched Line Of Duty and watched and streamed thousands of films and movies. They were all made by the millions of people employed in the industry I love. To all you fabulous folk, both on camera and behind the scenes – and who have had such a tough time this year with Covid-19 decimating so much of the industry – thank you.

I have also been extremely lucky in the past to have made shows in hospitals around Christmas time. So another thank you has to go out to all the thousands of people who have worked so hard looking after us all this year – and every year. They all deserve the best Christmas ever.

I would also like to make a special mention to my dearest and best friend ever. Her name is Celia and we have been friends for almost 40 years.

Celia is there for me whenever I need her. We laugh at the same things, have cried together and somehow always know what the other is thinking or feeling. She is godmother to my eldest, and I’m godmother to her boys, too. I hope that I’ve never taken her for granted. I know I probably have in the past, but this Christmas, I’m going to make sure we laugh and celebrate being alive and being friends – her with a glass of Prosecco and, because I’m booze-free, I’ll have a ginger beer.

‘Let’s make this year more thoughtful’