24/12/2025
Sometimes contentment looks like stillness. Sometimes enough is quiet.
I’m sitting at home on my own tonight.
No, this is not a sob story.
This is me enjoying the quiet.
Enjoying the absence of noise.
Enjoying simply being.
I’ve got a cup of tea, some chocolate, and Love Actually on the TV.
The year has been busy. The last couple of months have been wild.
And tonight, I’m stopping.
I’m at home with my three animals.
And I’m happy.
This is the first Christmas Eve of my life that I’ve been on my own.
Beautiful friends invited me to join them, generous, loving invitations, but I wanted this experience. I wanted the stillness. And it feels right.
We usually have our own Christmas Eve ritual.
A small gift opened at midnight, then the big celebration the next day.
I love our traditions.
This year is different.
Mum being in care has changed things, just for now.
She can’t come home tonight.
I spent time with her this afternoon.
We shared our moment. And it was enough.
Tomorrow will be the first time in my whole life that I wake up on Christmas Day alone.
Again, I’m not upset.
I’ll start slowly. I’ll walk the dogs. I’ll breathe.
Mum will come home for Christmas Day.
My boys, their partners, and my granddaughter will fill the house with life.
Mum will stay for as long as she wants.
And later, when I take her home, the cocktails will flow.
Life is really good.
I am so happy.
Tap on link for full story ❤️ Merry Christmas to all 🥰
https://open.substack.com/pub/janettebendle/p/christmas-eve-alone-and-content?r=4mahr&utm_medium=ios