SILENT NIGHT AND DAY

Silent night, holy night.
All is calm, all is bright.

Well not in this house it isn't.

Christmas Eve was the usual hectic time, firstly welcoming visitors and then along with my music group, to play and lead the singing at our carol service, followed by the first Mass of Christmas. It has been wonderful, welcoming the new-born Lord Jesus into our lives. I came home spiritually renewed and refreshed, walking on air, althoug a little croaky in the voice department.

As I have been leading the singing at the Christmas services for more years than I care to count or remember, (I would run out of fingers and have to take my socks off and start on my toes), I am no stranger to this vocal phenomenon. And neither is my spouse and therein lies the rub.

If I was disposed to be uncharitable towards him and how can I during this season of goodwill to all men and this must, I suppose, include my spouse, I would hazard a guess that he looks forward to this annual event. A wife with no speaking voice, how lucky can a man get?

How do I know this? We are hardly out of the church door when he pats my arm with pseudo-concern, trying valiantly to suppress a seraphic smile, saying 'you mustn't talk my dear, you rest your voice.'

For me it will be a very silent Christmas Eve night and Christmas Day. My family will talk all around me, smiling, laughing and sharing jokes. The moment I attempt to join in with my cracked and strained vocals, my spouse is on it in a nano-moment, that horrid little smirk hovering at the corners of his mouth and suppressed glee lurking at the back of his eye.

Silent night, holy night.
​All is calm, all is bright?

Hmmm. Maybe for now Mr PC, but just wait 'till you go down with a serious dose of man-flu. I can wait .....
In the meantime, I wish everyone a very peaceful and happy Christmas and hopefully, not as silent as mine.