I am reminded by my life and contacts in social media that some of us enjoy a Christmas surrounded by those who love them and can celebrate that blessing with traditional feasting, and for others it is a time of significant bleakness when their emotional or physical isolation from those they hold dear is magnified by separation and sometimes indifference.
Readers of this blog come under both categories and I know, often on the grounds of survival and understandable pride, that people can pretend to be in happier circumstances than they really are so as to protect themselves from undue scrutiny.
Whatever our circumstances, and needless to say I hope they are ones informed by love and a sense of security, we all have the gift of kindness in our hearts and may we reach out to ourselves and those around us and touch each other with a sense of being valued this Christmas and in the New Year.
countingducks 
A very poignant post, Peter. And so very true. Merry Christmas and a happy New Year to you.
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I hope you have a really lovely Christmas too 🙂
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I am not a big fan of Christmas, it must be said, but I shall be using the time to complete the first draft of the next book 🙂
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Fine words Peter. Have a splendid time.
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And you too. I wish you have the best of Christmases 🙂
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Peter, as eloquent as always. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and only the best in 2017. You are a treasure.
Hugs
Carrie
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Hope you have a really lovely Christmas and New Year. Thank you for your support and the work you do on spreading awareness on social needs. Your writings are invaluable
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Exactly. Perfectly put. Christmas blessings on you and and yours xx
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Hope you and yours have a lovely Christmas as well, and a wonderful 2o17
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Christmas can be very lonely. I hope you will have a merry Christmas! x
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You too. And I hope your New Year is full of good things x
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Thank you Peter. I wish you a Happy Christmas and a great New Year.
Hugs
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And to you David. Have a wonderful time 🙂
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beautiful and so true, there are many things we may never know about one another, other than a universal truth – we all need kindness and compassion. happy christmas to you and yours, peter.
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I hope you have a lovely time. I always enjoy reading your blog so much, and love your outlook on life. My very best wishes for the New Year x 🙂
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thank you so much, peter )
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A lovely sentiment, Peter. My very best to you.
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And to you. Thank you for always being so supportive. It is more cheering than you know. I hope your Christmas and New Year are both full of good things 🙂
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Merry Christmas Peter, what thoughtful words.
I hope that for yourself you are surrounded by good things to eat and drink!
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I am surrounded by good things to eat and already showing my habitual lack of willpower in the face of that temptation but, hey ho, it’s only Christmas once a year so we might as well tuck in and hang the consequences eh? Hope you have a lovely time and I wish you the very best for next year 🙂
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A truthy post for Christmas, Peter. A very merry one to you 🙂
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I hope you have a lovely Christmas and new year as well 🙂
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Lovely message for the holidays. Hope yours find you well.
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I hope you have a brilliant time with your lovely family. Keep rocking and my very best wishes for 2017
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Happiest of holiday to you, Peter. It’s going to be a wonderful new year.
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I hope it is, and I wish you the very best of the season and thank you for your wonderful and loyal support. It is very appreciated
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❤️❤️❤️
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Thank you 🙂 I hope you and yours have a brilliant Christmas and a very happy New Year.
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And then there is me: spending a quiet holiday and enjoying the blissful solitude! To each their own, eh? Wishing love and happiness this and every day, Peter! ❤
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I hope you have a lovely Christmas, spent as you wish to spend it and a wonderful 2017. My very warmest good wishes to one of my favourite bloggers x
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Same to you, Peter! ❤
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Thank you for the kind thoughts and best wishes!
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Thank you very much.I hope you and yours have a truly lovely Christmas and New Year 🙂
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Peter,
Thank you for all you have shared with all of us throughout the year I might not always comment but I always read. This one was is very good. It is a great for the Holidays and it makes sense but I used to love Christmas it was my favorite holiday of all times but then I lost my favorite Gram and then lost 2 cousins and a good friend during Vietnam at Christmas time and now it is so hard to be happy and festive when my heart is breaking. But I will say the true meaning of Christmas remains the same and that is the celebration of the birth of Christ (baby Jesus) so that part I can get behind and celebrate it is the rest that is hard for me. So I can say Merry Christmas Peter and not feel like I’m doing something that is against everything that I am believing him. So I’m hoping that you have do have a great Christmas in the true sense of the meaning. You and your blogs have come to mean a great deal to me I hope this doesn’t put you off of being my friend and continuing to visit my two sites. Take care Peter and thanks again. ❤ ❤ Kat
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Thank you for your beautiful thoughtful reply. I agree about the meaning of Christmas. I hope you and yours enjoy a beautiful one and very happy 2017
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I wish you and all your family and furry babies an awesome Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year 2017
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And a Happy Christmas to you as well, Peter, plus a Happy New Year.
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Thank you very much. It is such a pleasure to connect with deep-thinking people such as yourself and I hope this Christmas and New Year bring you much happiness
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Christmas can be (as you so beautifully express), Bittersweet. Nevertheless, much love and abundance to you this Christmas Peter. You’re a blessing x
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As are you, and one of my favourite people in the blogosphere. I hope you have a beautiful Christmas with your family and a wonderful New Year x
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Have a wonderful Christmas, Mr Ducks, you are a gem!
Sxxx
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You shine a bit yourself, if you don’t mind me saying so. Have a lovely Christmas and New Year x
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A lovely post, Peter. Happy Christmas to you. x
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And to you too, and the very best for the New Year x
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Thank you, Peter 🙂 x
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Many thanks Peter,have a very happy Christmas and a prosperous 2017
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Thought is much appreciated
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Merry Christmas, Peter. May 2017 bring you joy, health and prosperity.
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And the same to you 🙂
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Merry Christmas Peter, and thank you for your kind, thoughtful and inclusive words. I hope 2017 will bring you more of the things that bring you joy 🙂
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Always lovely to see a comment from you. I hope you and yours have a truly wonderful Christmas and New Year x
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Merry Christmas, Peter. 😀
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May I pass to you a very American hug and whatever it is that my reserved British friends pass along. May 2017 be kinder to us all – mostly because we choose to be that change.
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Enjoy reading your post as always. I wish you a merry Christmas and happy new year! ^^
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A belated response, but well said and. Hear! Here!
Happy Christmas!
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Thank you very much and I hope your 2017 is full of happiness 🙂
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Very wise words, Peter… and though this is already 2017, it’s never too late to wish you all the best in the new year.
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