Christmas Day at the Gathering Place... and lunch for almost forty... despite severe weather and absolutely no public transport they kept arriving until we had a full house...

A Japanese PhD student... a squaddie... people with addictions... elderly spinsters... Nigerian post grads... people with mental health problems...  church folk giving up their day to cook or serve... 

All around one table. 

You tell me that's not a foretaste of the heavenly banquet...

(In the end there were three spare seats, possibly because people ate standing up, I like to imagine they were just in case the Holy Family showed up...)

Advance posting because I will be at church most of the day, worshipping and eating.

Just to say, THANK YOU for reading my ramblings over yet another year and for your comments at various points along the way (either on or off blog).  And especially THANK YOU for your support as I've climbed Mt Chemo (almost there now) and other unchosen adventures over the last four months.

I do wish you all a really Happy and Joy-filled Christmas and a Healthy and Hope-filled 2011.

May God bless you all with love to give away,

Catriona

PS There may be a bit of a break in blogging as I take a few days out, so don't panic if this place is quieter than usual!