I’m a big believer in Christmas. Ive taken the fact that generally people are more inclined to smile and wave at strangers on Christmas day to mean that people, for one day a year, are united in our humanity. And if we can manage it one day a year, and even like it, there is still hope for the other 364 days.

Last week, I read this inspirational story, a timely reminder that life throws curveballs and there’s not a whole heck of a lot you can do about it. For some reason, the fact that this family is facing this right now, at christmas, feels just that much more unfair.

After several hours pondering this horrific lack of fairness, I am none the wiser, or at peace knowing that this sort of thing is just part of life. Its one of those fundamentally life changing stories that we should all change our lives as a result of, but never really do. Embrace every day, you just never know how many you have.

I’ve been trying to pull some lessons or actions out of this, but have failed dismally. However, if you have some spare cash or time this christmas, this family would love to put on a wedding. They and all the other families around the place who are struggling along are very much deserving of some of that christmas cheer that is what this season is actually about.