An unexpected gift

It’s a pleasure to receive an unexpected gift – the wrapping, the shape, the weight – all intriguing. Then comes the joy of unpeeling the paper to discover what is hidden inside. If a small child is opening a present, the accompanying narrative will run along the lines of, “I wonder what it can be?’ and ‘What do you think it is?’ and, if you are the giver, a rather nervous, “I hope you like it’ and “If you’ve already got one, we can change it.’

Somehow, the anticipation lessens as one leaves childhood behind. Very often, we know what we’re receiving. In years past, when my husband was frequently away for weeks on business, I would be tasked with buying and wrapping my own present from him, as well as the rest of the family’s gifts. I didn’t mind – it made me laugh and enjoy it all the more.

 Though he is now retired, I am still consulted about his gift to me, because he doesn’t want to risk getting the wrong thing. I won’t tell you how many years we’re known each other but I would have thought he’d have some clue to my taste by now. To be fair, he has, but he likes to be sure! He knows not to give me things with plugs on – surely every man knows that?

 We have more than enough and need no more but, for our children’s sakes, we accede to the spirit of the season (and also to birthdays) to please them. They’re very sweet.

Anyway, today an unexpected gift arrived in the form of a positive Covid test for Barry. Robert and James have also tested positive. We were invited to spend Christmas Day with Susannah and James and Bethan and Robert were planning to visit us on Boxing Day, but neither of those things will happen now. It’s just as well – we have no appetite for a delicious banquet and would not make entertaining guests as we keep sneezing and falling asleep – not at the same time, of course. That begs the question, do we sneeze when we sleep? Answers on a postcard, please.  

At present we are drinking water and eating nothing, but still dutifully feeding the animals at regular intervals. I hope they don’t catch it – it is a zoonotic disease and the advice is to avoid contact with them. The trouble is that if I do that, they’ll starve, which is not a happy alternative.

I haven’t yet tested to discover if I have Covid or just the lurgy. The headache and fogginess of the last few days is somewhat trying, but as I always have a headache and no appetite before Christmas I’m not too bothered.

I hope any gifts you receive will be welcome and enjoyable!