A mother’s love is priceless, All through life her loving care, Constantly surrounds us, In troubled times she’s always there; And so to all mums everywhere, On this, their special day, We send our love and grateful thanks, Wrapped up in a big bouquet.

THE station platform was unusually crowded.

I was looking at the back of a solid row of hunched shoulders and raincoats when a woman stepped out of the crowd. She walked over to a forlorn-looking planter where a weather-beaten plant grew. She rolled some little leaves gently between her thumb and finger, closed her eyes, and took a deep sniff of the resulting aroma. I waited a moment – but I had to ask. She was meeting a friend, but line repairs meant the train schedule was all over the place. Late and harassed, she had taken a moment to appreciate the peace and relaxation nature had to offer.

What the plant was, I still don’t know, but the example she set was well appreciated.

I WAS invited to a Christmas dinner this week, and was honoured by the invite.

You see, the other diners were all people who had spent time over the festive period away from their homes and family, making sure the hungry were fed,

And once the end-of-December operations were over they went back to their day-to-day work which was – making sure the hungry were fed. Because times of need don’t take holidays.

A great time was had at the belated dinner by a lovely bunch of people.

I have heard people say they wish the spirit of Christmas would last all year round. I can’t speak for the rest of the year yet, but I am happy to confirm it has lasted as far as March!