#ChristmasCancelled To all those, like me, who have had their Christmas plans overturned, here is a true story in a thread which I hope brings solace... 1/12

So long ago my ex father in law (long story) was a boy growing up wing up in war torn Italy. Sebastian. One of about ten children.

Times were hard, especially in the South of Italy where he grew up. They had almost nothing.

One Summer, his father put on his warmest coat and set off for town. He shivered. His teeth chattered. His friends in the piazza laughed. (I've forgotten to number these but hey...)

Are you ill? They yelled, or are you mad? His kids gathered around, worried about his father. Including Sebastiano. What was he doing?

Sebastiano's father said "it's do cold, it's going to snow". Yet it was August. The sun blazed down. Everyone thought he'd gone crazy.

So he said - I'm not crazy. Today it is going to snow. Because today it is Christmas. Last winter we had nothing. No money under the mattress. Nothing. But today the crops are in and we have some money. Enough to buy gifts for my kids! For us, today is Christmas!

And he went to town and bought pannetone and gifts for all his kids. And they lit a fire outside when he got home, and had a great feast. His friends came and brought food too. An August Christmas!

It was a Christmas little Sebastiano never forgot. He was a wonderful storyteller....

So... If we can't have the Christmas we want, It will wait. What matters is being healthy and safe. I can't see my son. My heart is sore.

But on Christmas day, I'll raise a glass to my ex father in law and say - "roll on August", and maybe, if the crops come in and the vaccine is rolled out, we can all celebrate.

I've no idea if that was 12 tweets in the end. Sorry. Anyway, Happy Christmas twitter friends and I hope this true story will give you a perspective and hope at a difficult time. Lots of love xxx

Ps sorry for typos x