Let's all show some of Alfie's spirit this Christmas
Editorial Department • Published 22 Dec 2011 13:00
0 Comments
Share this
On the front page of this newspaper today, sits an excited Alfie Keys in front of his Christmas tree, safe, content and happy in his family home.
For everyone 2011 has been a really tough year as these harsh economic times really hit home and every family has been affected in some way as the ordinary man and woman in the street is made to pay for the excesses of property speculators and unregulated banks. Spending money we did not have, collectively or individually, was always going to come home to roost and that is where we find ourselves in December 2011 and it will take time to sort out.
Unemployment is rising, the cost of living is rising, those lucky enough to have jobs are in the midst of pay freezes, public services are being reduced and the for the first time in a generation, the outlook is very bleak.
As you may guess from 11-month-old Alfie's face, he is pretty much oblivious to all of this but already in his short life he has displayed the fighting characteristics that many of us will need to get through 2011 and beyond.
As reported last week in this paper, Alfie has already overcome extensive open heart surgery not once but twice after being born with a heart defect.
He is now back home with his family and they are all looking forward to Christmas together after what has been a very tough year, but one in which Alfie's fighting spirit has been an inspiration to his family. There is no doubt that the close family bond of the Keys' family got them through their tough times.
Indeed, it is something we would all do well to replicate and take inspiration from.
At the end of the day Christmas, religious celebration aside, should be foremost about being with family and friends.
The problem is that the whole distraction of our day to day lives, working hard to make ends meet, rushing here, there and everywhere leaves little time for what really matters and that is family.
Indeed, the pressured lives that many of us lead, means that not only do we take family for granted but we often neglect our loved ones.
As such then, the answer to getting through these tough economic times will not be the so called vision of our politicians or economists but the strength of our family and true friends.
As we all know, not everyone will be able to make it home this Christmas, but with the advent of Skype, Facebook and Twitter it has never been easier to spend time with your family this Christmas.
So this Christmas, take a leaf out of Alfie's book and surround yourself with your family and friends. Enjoy that feeling, take strength from it and in so doing the many different problems that we will face in 2012 may not seem so insurmountable after all.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 22 Dec 11
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Opinion archives.
