Hi Mum,

Well, it’s Boxing Day, we made it.

‘Hello my Love, well what did I tell you?’

You were right, I didn’t just make the most of it, I genuinely enjoyed every single minute.  It wasn’t even an effort, it was a delight.  Did you see I set a place for you at the table?

‘I did, thank you Queen.’

It didn’t upset me to see an empty chair and a cold dinner plate next to me either because sitting opposite were two of the strongest women in my life.

Jen’s a given, I mean she’s your green angel for goodness sake, we’ve seen her strength so many times in action but your granddaughter was off the scale too.

They let me chase them around the farm in a giant inflatable Santa suit and kiss them with my itchy white beard.

We had a roaring log fire burning all day in your sitting room and flutes of Bucks Fizz in the bath.

We got wrapped up and went for a wintery walk down the lane. We strolled hand in hand like the ‘only gays in the village’ and wished our neighbours a Merry Christmas before heading home for our first veggie Xmas Dinner.

We broke tradition and had salmon in a lemon butter sauce.

‘Well I’ve always said turkey can be a bit dry, it looked lovely, I watched you all wolf it down. Did you have a Bailey’s?’

I certainly did, Bethany kindly bought me a bottle, she’s carrying on the tradition for you Mum.

So how was your Christmas day?

‘Quiet Love, just me and your Dad.’

Really?  I thought you’d be sitting at the longest table with everyone there with you.

‘It doesn’t work like that Love, well not for the first year you arrive here. That’s further down the line, once I’ve settled in a bit more.  This afterlife is a lot to take in at first and there are certain rules to follow.’

I did not know that! So what happens next?

‘Well at the moment I’ve got these two tiny stumps on my back but in a few more months they’ll have grown into the most magnificent Angel wings and that’s when I’ll be ready.’

Ready for what?

‘To start my training, I will be joining your Dad and all the others that have been here a while. I’ll become an official Spirit Guide after a few months and will be able to start performing miracles.’

You’re kidding me?

‘No, I’m deadly serious.’

Wow, that’s brilliant, what kind of miracles do you think you’ll start with?

‘I thought getting you to use an iron would be a good start.’

That would be miraculous, I think you might be out of your depth with that one Mum, I don’t do ironing, maybe start a little smaller.  You could perhaps work on encouraging me to replace the toilet roll instead of leaving the cardboard tube for Jen to find.

Seriously though, I know of no greater Spirit Guide in training than you Mum, you’re doing an amazing job already, even with your little stumps.

‘Thank you Queen, I’m trying, 2022 is on it’s way, and although I know it will come with it’s own set of challenges, struggles and woes, it will equally be filled with the most incredible miracles. Kindness, love and the power of forgiveness is all around you my Love, have faith.

Thank you Mum, I will.

Love as always,

Queen x

26/12/2021