Be strong - 2022 offers us all hope

This may not be the merriest Christmas we have ever had, but on the upside, it’s better than the last. There are, of course, those who cancelled family get-togethers to keep elderly relatives safe. Others have had to isolate as Omicron sweeps the nation.

And it’s an outrage that the Queen’s quiet family Christmas at Windsor Castle was disrupted by an armed intruder.

Yet even though festive parties had to be binned, for most of us the day itself went ahead as planned.

Today, as leftover turkey goes into sandwiches, and we hunker down to watch the football, let us look forward to a better 2022.

Scientists developed Covid vaccines at a remarkable rate and there is no reason to believe that the pace will slow down.

By this time next year, there could be a single jab to cope with all variants, meaning a simple annual dose just as we have for flu.

As we prepare to say goodbye to this year, the next promises much to celebrate.

It will begin with a well-deserved gong in the New Year honours for Emma Raducanu – a token of the nation’s gratitude for lifting our spirits by winning the US Open.

And the four-day June holiday to mark the Queen’s 70 years on the throne will mean more spirits raised – and drunk – as pubs continue serving until 1am.

RESILIENT

Our summer treat will be the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and the World Cup in Qatar will brighten November.

We will raise a glass with Tory MPs if they rid us of Boris Johnson as our Prime Minister.

That really would be cause for a national outpouring of joy.

But yesterday it was the Queen who led the nation in remembering the loved ones we have lost this year. And we must brace ourselves to lose more before Covid is done with us.

But Britain is a resilient nation and Brits a buoyant people with a zest for life and the strength of character to face adversity.

We may have to endure more restrictions if Mr Johnson finally stops dithering and makes his mind up on introducing them.

But we must face them with the same steadfastness we have shown throughout.

Future generations should know that when the Great Pandemic struck and the chips were down, our chins were up.

And as we support each other, we must also back those businesses that have suffered most during shutdowns – the pubs and restaurants, cinemas and theatres, the airlines and holiday industry.

Never again must we take them for granted. Covid has altered many of our working practices for good and we must embrace that change as one for the better.

So let us go into next year and the brave new world it promises with a spring in our step and hope in our hearts. The Sunday Mirror will be right there with you.

Let us go forward together with all the British hallmarks of courage, compassion and humour.

Enjoy the rest of this Christmas break. We are champing at the bit to see you next year.