My father was a clergyman, and even after he retired he still did lots of assistant work. The Advent and Christmas period always seemed extra busy, not entirely because of the extra service and music, but because of the extra seasonal counselling, charity, and homecare work. He worked tirelessly for others and by St. Stephen's Day he was bushed, though fulfilled. There was no doubt to the family that he was on the job and working, some of it we were also heavily involved with, but since it was the only life we knew, we didn't know any different. The luxury of not working at Christmas is something we have treasured because our father never had it off entirely.

Being self-employed, I give myself the school holidays so that there's more time with the kids and wife, more time to visit, and more time to recharge my personal batteries. It costs me money, but I'll never get rich teaching private music lessons anyway, and I'd be poorer by loosing the time with family.

To those folks clearing the snow, tending the police, fire, coastguard, and ambulance stations, in the armed forces, in the hospitals, and everything else, I have the highest admiration and respect for. Merry Christmas.

Peace, Mooh.