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"Now don't for one second think I'm writing this because I love Christmas. Christmas is something we always would treat as extra days off to have a party or go out. I never had family in the UK so it definitely was a free chance to get over the eight weeks of "Christmas in retail" exhaustion.

Twenty years of having man flu Every Christmas makes an Australian quite bitter. But it's very different here in Australia. Only 4 weeks and I'm happy about that and more than anything I'm happy I get to spend it with my mum in her last months. I've bought presents and cards and got into the spirit a little. Please don't assume I'm born again it's just my mum made Christmas great for me as a child. I can now return the favour at a time that's crucial.

Everyone should go home for Christmas because even if you don't care for it, a close member of your life may be waiting for you to come home. Mum waited for 22 years and I refused to buy a ticket that time of the year due to being too Croatian about money. I guess these months will make up for it. I'm very lucky my best friend came to my mum every year for Xmas. I will never forget her good deeds and that is the spirit of Christmas. Don't forget.

So unfortunately I cant be with Luke this year and all our extended family in the UK. We were never really close to the family before but I can see the change coming now. Pretty sure its old age that's doing it. So I best get used to buying presents in the future cause in many ways I need family more than I ever imagined now. I get the presents thing now. Its actually just plain old polite manners. Especially if your being fed and given a bed. But you could say that about any old day couldn't you? Wishing you all a happy any old day and no loneliness xxx"

Darrell Martin

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