The Nutcracker
Families grow, lives transform and beloved traditions can change too…
Coffee Break Tale
Christmas won’t be Christmas without seeing TheNutcracker, Mum,” Rachel said on the phone. “But things are just too hectic at the moment for me to stay for a weekend, and it’s too far to come over for the day.”
I suppressed a sigh. The two of us had been to a performance of TheNutcracker at our local cinema every December for the past fifteen years, starting back when Rachel was in her ballerina phase. She even attended ballet lessons for a while, before other aspects of life took over, but the love stayed with her.
It remained one of the pleasures we shared as she grew up, along with the sheer comfort of watching romantic films on rainy afternoons, or even just baking cakes together.
I found out about the first screening by chance, from a poster in the foyer when the four of us – Dave, our son Jake, Rachel and myself – had been to see a family-friendly blockbuster together.
The children were still just at an age when they tolerated going to the cinema with their parents.
“Anyone fancy seeing this?” I asked, more in hope than expectation.
Dave and Jake backed away, but Rachel came and stood beside me, taking in the graceful Sugar Plum Fairy in an impossibly floaty tutu, Clara and her prince, and a slightly scary Drosselmeyer the toymaker with the rest of the cast and an enormous Christmas tree in the background.
There was one showing, three weeks away. I bought our tickets there and then.
It’s just as well I did. The place was packed. The audience was dominated by mothers and daughters of all ages, groups of female friends, couples, and excited little girls in ballet costumes. All were transfixed by the exquisite dancing, powered along by Tchaikovsky’s score.
Barely a sweet wrapper was rustled as sheer concentration hung over the auditorium like a presence.
“I feel really Christmassy now,” Rachel declared as we came out, blinking and bemused, into the already dark
December afternoon.
www.myweekly.co.uk
WEEK: DEC 8 – DEC 14, 2020
LEO
Look before you leap and examine anything unfamiliar, especially if it calls for you to part with your cash. Check every angle before you make a move.
Astro Tip: Take time to think.
VIRGO
You like things planned down to the last detail. Changes occurring now will take you by surprise but at least most will lead to positive consequences. Astro Tip: Choose your words carefully.
LIBRA
A disagreement at home is not all bad even if at first it really upsets you. You’ll get ideas you wouldn’t have come up with without being prodded by other people’s views.
Astro Tip: Prepare for visitors.
SCORPIO
Hold on to a realistic and practical view of life. Deal immediately with cash and work matters in a sensible way. It might be a good move. Astro Tip: Find ways of making more money.
SAGITTARIUS
Follow up some daring ideas about possible new long-term plans and arrangements. You could be surprised by how feasible these happen to be. Astro Tip: Listen to your body and take action.
CAPRICORN
Be honest with yourself if you you’re telling everyone you are happy when you aren’t. You’ve fallen into a rut and are making decisions by habit. Astro Tip: Find a new challenge in life.
AQUARIUS
Because of the changes and challenges this year, you have suffered feelings of insecurity. You have a big decision to make and are aware of what other people expect you to do. Astro Tip: Hide misgivings.
PISCES
Everyone expects you to go along with their suggestions even if you aren’t keen on them, but for once, it could work out in your favour. Astro Tip: Make your own decisions and stand tough.