It felt wrong not to see them at Christmas. They must be longing to see me.
But how could I leave my own home with Christmas approaching like an express train? (Express sleigh?) My teaching has continued late this year, and I'm a little behind.
But then, however much time and effort I put in, would I ever be ready for Christmas? I never do get the house as smart as I would like. And there's always one last card that didn't get delivered, one last elusive gift that would have made somebody's Christmas perfect.
So I bought a ticket for a flying visit to Truro anyway. Then I picked up the phone - I could just imagine my parents' smiling faces.
'I'm coming! Arriving tomorrow afternoon!'
Long pause.
'Well, we already have a couple of engagements tomorrow afternoon - Mum's having a visit from the optician and I'm getting my ears de-waxed. See you then, I suppose. Goodbye. '
As I said, it will be good to bring my parents joy at Christmas, even if not as much joy as the optician or the wax-removal lady.
I don't have any Christmas photos yet this year so thanks to Mary Bee for the above.
