You maybe read the post where I accidentally broke my daughter’s brand new princess crown.
In the post came this one, with a short handwritten note.
It came from D. You know D, right? D, who makes me laugh almost without exception. D, who has never even met me or the little family that I get to live with, and who sent a little 4 year old something across the ocean, something that her mother’s useless hands cannot break, something that can make a rosy cheeked little girl feel like a princess.
And that is Christmas.
A little gesture like that. That is Christmas.
I cried when I opened it, and when Nora gets home today I have no doubt that she will eat, sleep, and breathe that tiara for ages. And I can put it on her head without worrying about snapping it, without concern that I can’t get my fingers to move right.
It’s a long strange journey we’re on here. For those of you still around after all these years, I thank you. With a lot less drama in my life I have a lot fewer readers, but the soap opera that was me is finished. This new world I live in, it has jam fingerprint smudges and traffic jams, it has dog drool tennis balls and it has a hell of a lot of ibuprofen-laced doctor appointments. I am of course still sappy, too (and the bad news is that is unlikely to ever change). But the mad crazy tsunami that was not only me, but all of my writing, has ceased. If you’re still here then either the writing is still somewhat ok or you’re a friend.
I like to think it’s a little of both.
I can’t tell you the comfort that comes from knowing that out there someone else who I’ve maybe never even met has my back, and has the back of Nick and Nora as well.
I am shit at email, worse at commenting, and you’re best off cutting me loose – it’s not that I’m laced with copious amounts of self-entitlement, it’s that I can’t imagine why you want to hear from someone like me. For everyone still on whatever road I’m on with me, I thank you. Many of you have kept me sane. Most of you have helped heal me.
Merry Christmas.
And may your Christmas be filled with sparkly, un-breakable tiaras.
Love,
Shannon
Is it really weird that over the years, I’ve come to care about you and your family? Not in a creepy, stalkerish way. Words are failing me. Merry Christmas and I hope Nora loves her tiara!
D is a mensch.
Happy Christmas Shannon,
Thanks for the the years of writing – with or without crazy. I have always been grateful for the window into your life. Yes, your writing is ace, I’m not lucky enough to call you and your tribe mates, but I do have your backs (in South London anyway!). Like Hannah, I care in a non-stalker manner!
Abs xx
Thinking of you with much love and affection, although I have only commented maybe a single handful of times, and written, maybe, one email over the last 7 years or so. Merry Christmas, and a happy New year, Shannon.
Merry Christmas!
I hope Nora enjoys her new tiara…
Well my love – you’re just growing up. That’s something we women do all our lives (I can’t speak for men – I don’t understand them). Your earlier days were fun to read about and understand (I was young a long time ago) and your oldier days (good word, huh!) are fun, too. You’re beginning to settle into yourself and that’s a wonderful process, too. It’s all about the process – and there’s more to come for all of us. Hugs & kisses to Nick and Nora and their Mommy and Daddy and Merry Christmas to all!
Merry Christmas, my friend
sorry about the lack of card this year… tighter budget… but no less love for you and yours.
Shannon – I wish I had the magic of words the way that you do, so I could make you understand how much you and your writing have impacted me. I’ve been reading for a very long time. I can’t even remember how long, honestly. Pre-husband (almost married six years now), pre-alot of things. I’ve read through dark days, dark times and it warms me to my toes to see how much you’ve grown and triumphed through all of that. You and your Angus (still not used to Alistair, lol) have made an amazing family and home and I couldn’t have wished for better or more for you.
I repeat what the above commenters have said..I adore you and will follow as long as you’re here – in a non-stalkerish way, of course. :)
p.s. You sent me a Believe/Hope/Miracles bracelet after my miscarriage. When I was pregnant with Riley, I wore it until it finally broke around 37 weeks. I carried it in a ziploc bag, on my person at all times. When I got pregnant with Willow, I still had that same ziploc bag. It gave me strength to get through some scary times, to know that someone out there, even so far away, was sending good thoughts my way. It meant more to me than I could ever say. Even if you never e-mailed me again, or never wrote enough word on your blog – know that I would still consider you to be a friend. Merry Christmas!
That is Christmas. Much love to you and and Nick, Nora, and Alistair.
Lovely that you – as the person who pours out her heart & soul for our ‘entertainment’ – get benefits from blogland as well (and not just creepy wackjobs trolls). I hope you know that you have a lot of supportive/happy/warm thoughts directed your way from around the globe.
Support/happiness/warmth and the most merry of Christmas wishes coming your way from Vancouver, Canada!!
Lori
that alone makes me smile :)
and that is Christmas and love.
A very Happy Chirstmas to you all (still here, just not so talkative lately :))xx
The very happiest and merriest to you! And if it means anything, your words have helped to keep me afloat in this very bad year. And, if it means anything, a quote:
Paulo Coelho (@paulocoelho)
12/22/11 5:03 AM
Redefine yourself. Leave in 2011 all pain and frustration, face 2012 with your heart full of strength
Merry Christmas!
D is lovely
May this Christmas be the best ever and may the years keep getting better and better x
What they all said before me. I’ve been with you since the beginning and I’m not going anywhere. You don’t have to meet in person to feel connected.
I’ll never forget you reaching out to me when it was needed.
It’s as much a privilege to read now as it was a few years ago. You’ve helped me and many others, I’m sure, more than you know!
Merry Christmas to you all!
Ahhhh, darlin!
It’s beautiful. It’s also restored my faith in humanity, and put a smile on my face-on a day where I needed it badly.
I like to think that we have “grown up” together. My sister from another mother (and father, for that matter).
Merry Christmas to your family from mine.
xo
*I love my picture-thank you!
Merry Christmas to you and yours :-) I enjoy reading here.
I do totally have your back, and Nick and Nora’s and Gorby’s and Alastair’s, but not in a creepy way like “I’ve got your family’s back” with a weird grin or anything, just like, I will give nasty looks to people you don’t like and if England experiences a butter shortage similar to Norway, I’ll pack up some shortbread cookies. Because you are a very cool person who shares your life with the lot of us, as they say over there, and I like to have the backs of cool persons. They are a dwindling breed.
That said, the lady who works the counter at the post office? Not one of the cool persons. She and I had some disagreement over my trying to list my return address on the package as “Santa, 1 North Pole” as apparently that doesn’t fly on a customs form and no amount of “but it’s Christmas” would sway her. And they wonder why the USPS is going out of business…
I’m still here – still love your writing :-). Merry Christmas to you and your family from New Zealand. xxx
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
This made me smiley and teary at the same time. *happy heart* Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.
That is awesome, I hope you and the family have an amazing Christmas. I cannot believe how big the little ones are getting. I still read but rarely comment. It’s been a long time and I am so happy for you!
A Very Merry Christmas from me, too, from the other side of the Channel.
Paula
Had a lump in my throat over the tiara gift- at times there needs to be a reminder that the world really is a good place to be Merry Christmas x
I love that you have less drama…that you have grown into the life you always wanted but weren’t sure you would have. I felt a connection with the younger you, and I am thrilled to see you happier and content. The ones who quit following? I suppose they were reading for different reasons.
Very Merry to all of you!
xo