Sue Vincent's Daily Echo

Dear Santa,

I’ve been thinking. I know you always bring me new toys and treats, but …and don’t tell her this… I prob’ly get more than enough treats all year and my toy box is overflowing.  I’ve still got loads of brand new balls left from my tennis ball tree. And there’s lots of four-legses and two-legses who have none at all.

I don’t mind if you give them mine.

She told me about one Christmas when she was left alone with my boys who were very little. They wouldn’t have had any presents or any nice food if it hadn’t been for the Salvation Army knocking on her door and delivering a Christmas. She knew they were too young to notice, but she knew and it was breaking her heart. That knock on the door changed everything and my boys smiles on Christmas morning was her Christmas present that year.

Everyone needs a little help now and then…and sometimes a lot of help.  She told me too about a time when she had nowhere to go. She told me how scary it was out there at night and how cold. Now, I like being outside in the dark… but it is different if there is only a curtain between you and a nice, warm sofa.

So, if you want to share my stuff with any other dogs who don’t have nice, warm sofas or someone to cuddle, that’s okay.

And Ruby’s mum, Willow has something to say about that too…

Much love, Ani xxx

From Willow

Christmas is drawing near.
Tinsel, fairies, Santa’s everywhere, tiny lights twinkle.
Hurry past her, close your eyes, tell yourself she’s okay
It is so easy to believe, convenient lies and hope she will go away.
Don’t give her a second thought.
What were the circumstances that, her to this corner brought.
How old is she? she does look young.
But some of them play on that they work in gangs….Scum.
She does look cold, she needs a coat.
She looks so hungry and tired. Is that a lump in your throat?
There are lots of souls like her around,
Sleeping in doorways and cardboard boxes in our cities and our towns.
Should you give her your coat or your change, buy her a hot drink
You don’t want her to spend it on booze or drugs help her out, don’t you think?
This dilemma makes you feel sad well what can I say life can be bad!
She might be an angel she might be just be lost.
But if you just helped her would that be too high a cost.
So spare a thought as you gather round your Christmas tree.
With your Christmas treats for all your family,
For all those who are lost, sad, lonely, cold or in pain.
If you gave to a homeless charity you would not loose, just think of what you could gain

Crisis at Christmas: https://www.crisis.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/volunteer-for-crisis-at-christmas/

Salvation Army: https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/

Or a local charity, anywhere in the world.

About Willow Willers

I am the mum of three boys all now grown and flown to live their own lives. Luckily they do keep in touch and visit often. I now have two beautiful grandsons.

When I started this blog I had not long come home from the hospital after an accident in which I broke my back. I was in the hospital for a month and had three operations.

It has taken me a long time to recover, I am still recovering but every day my body is getting stronger. It has taken a huge toll on me mentally I had to retire early on health grounds, I had to come to terms with finding out people I thought were friends were not. I had to make a new life for myself. Things I could do easily have become difficult. 

Writing poetry and prose has helped me a great deal, in fact, I think it has saved my life. 

Find and follow Willow Willers