HAVE YOURSELF A. MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

I try not to be cynical at Christmas. And four days comatose with flu ( from which still recovering) has left me weakly succumbing to seasonal schmaltz even more than I usually do . My annual helping of kitsch classics normally includes The Railway Children ( filmed just down the road on the Keighley and Worth Valley line), The Sound Of Music and, if possible, Meet Me In St Louis. The latter film also includes my favourite Christmas song ever ie Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Why so? Because, unlike many other seasonal ditties, it recognises that, for most of us, this time of year is tinged with sadness as well as happiness. It also recognises that the best way to deal with the whole process is to concentrate on the positives rather than negatives. And, trite as it sounds, count one's blessings. Thus, I have managed to get out of bed, will make the HB carol service in the square at 6.30 and then train to Manchester where tonight and tomorrow will spend Christmas with my immediate family, most notably my 88-year-old dad whose health gave us serious cause for concern earlier this year. We shall drink champagne ( bought by said parent) , eat a splendid meal ( which I don't have to cook) and do the same things millions of other families across the country do. It's not the stuff of Hollywood movies, it's not going to be anything spectacular. But there is still plenty to celebrate. I wish all my blog readers a " merry little Christmas " Even those who don't agree with a word I say......