Christmas preparations

The countdown towards Christmas is gathering very much at pace here even if with delays with the computer replacement issue and a few issues with cramp and that I'm a little behind in all honesty although the Advent Calendar is up and I do have some cards ready to write. 

Christmas would not be christmas without the Nativity Story for me, going back into childhood so being in church for services either at school, with parents or in Girlguiding or Scouts whatever people themselves may do or believe in.

For me it underscores so much of my own values and this life.

Santa Claus can be found in many places at the moment - must have a degree in Time Management - in the malls, schools and in his very own parades.

Many Girlguide/Girl Scouts and Scouts Associations have him fully signed up such as this Girl Guides unit in British Columbia, Canada where he's accompanied by by members in seasonal attire often making collections to aid the local unit and raise its profile in the wider community.

That for me is the sort of thing this time of the year is all about.

Remembrance 2023

 After an entry into current affairs we'll move into something more personal.

I enjoy a bonfire night as much as anyone but the other thing GirlGuiding is involved in around this time of year is Remembrance  which will be marked today with Armistice Day and in two days time on Remembrance Sunday.

Having taken part in Parades it has a bit of a sombre nature because we think about what men (and women) did both at home and on the battlefield to preserve the liberty, freedom and way of life we have and the sacrifice of lives given to have succeeded in it against great odds in WW2.

It is important for people, especially children to know about this so in guiding with the help of people such as the Royal British Legion, girls are taught about this as in a good number of schools they are too.

This years theme is Service which includes the services of all in scouting such as GirlGuiding not just in the services but at home helping on the home front and recognizes that in that service it isn't that people died but many more bear the scars of injury both physical and mental 

Here we see Brownies at the cenotaph as many will this weekend ,placing their wreath upon it as a symbol of our respect and appreciation of what those people, often young gave for us and our country.

We will remember our war dead.