The old lady at No. 6
From the Revd Arthur H. Bird Sir: The night is cold, there are flurries of snow in the wind. Some children are singing carols, and they bring back a flood of memories to the old lady at No 6.
Christmas will soon be here. Once she looked forward to this happy time of the year. Now the thought of it fills her with sadness. She spends so much time on her own. Christmas will be even lonelier. Years ago children were around, there were presents to buy, cards to send, a tree to decorate, puddings to make, so much to do, so much happiness and goodwill around.
Now things are so different, and it's hard to manage on her own. Her leg pains her, it's a job to keep warm, shopping is a real hazard, and the days seem so long.
She will make the best of Christmas with her little' radio which crackles and splutters. She will listen to the services and the carols, and they will help to ease the loneliness in her heart. She rakes out the last of the embers in her fire, boils up the kettle for her bottle. Time for bed. Tomorrow will be another day, just another day!
Do you know the old lady at No 6? She probably lives in your street. As you prepare for Christmas with all its fun and laughter, give her a thought. Send her a card, or pay her a visit. Let her know someone cares. You might like to take her a Christmas meal, or invite her around. You could ask the coalman to deliver her an extra sack of fuel, at your expense. This is what Christmas is all about. It would give it a new meaning for you, and most of all for her.
Arthur H. Bird The Manse, 13 Burnham Road, Malmesbury, Wilts
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