I jointly dedicate my song today to two very nice people; Carolina Wu, of Singapore and my brother-in-law, Richard Lumb, of Heckmondwike in West Yorkshire.
Today is Carolina’s birthday. Carolina is the same age as my wife, Sheila, and was one of Sheila’s classmates when they were being educated at the ‘Convent of The Holy Infant Jesus‘ in Singapore during the late ’60s and ’70s. Have a lovely birthday, Carolina, and we are so glad that you will be able to share it at home with your family. Bill and Sheila xx
I also dedicate my song today to my sister Mary’s partner, Richard Lumb. Richard, who is in his early 80’s, is presently a patient at Pinderfield’s Hospital. He has been in and out of the hospital several times this past year and is being kept in the hospital over the Christmas period while he continues to have some tests performed. Today’s song is ‘I’ll be home for Christmas’ and ironically concludes with the words, ‘if only in my dreams’. Get well soon, brother. We all miss you. Billy and Sheila xx
This Christmas song was written by the lyricist Kim Gannon and composer Walter Kent. It was recorded in 1943 by Bing Crosby who scored a top ten hit with the song. Originally written to honour soldiers overseas who longed to be home at Christmas time, ‘I'll Be Home for Christmas’ has since gone on to become a Christmas standard.
The song is sung from the point of view of a soldier stationed overseas during ‘World War 11’. The soldier is writing a letter to his family. In the message, he tells the family he will be coming home and to prepare the holiday for him, and requests snow, mistletoe, and presents on the tree. The song ends on a melancholy note, with the soldier saying, "I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams."
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There will be many people who would love to be home for Christmas, was it possible and circumstances did not prevent them. We still have serving soldiers abroad and there will be many hospital patients like our Richard who will spend time in hospital.
Several years ago, I took my wife and daughter out for their Christmas dinner. We had to abandon the meal and the day after, I was rushed into hospital. I’d already been diagnosed with a terminal blood cancer a few years earlier and had experienced nine months of chemotherapy. My cancer had transformed into a Lymphoma and I spent the following six weeks in the hospital, during which I almost died a few times. Unknown to either myself or my wife, a hospital medic had put a ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ instruction on me (which we only discovered a year later when I was in hospital undertaking another procedure and the nurse performing the procedure made a passing remark about it in my hospital file).
Although I did not think that I was dying with Lymphoma at the time, another six-month course of chemotherapy was commenced and had to be discontinued partway through because my body wasn’t strong enough to endure it. I will not forget laying awake throughout most of the night, being unable to sleep with the body pain and discomfort while the rest of the country was still enjoying the Christmas festivities.
Unfortunately, due to an outbreak of flu throughout Pinderfield’s Hospital at the moment, patient visiting is restricted and is time-limited. My sister Mary will bring Richard’s presents to the hospital on Christmas morning.
Being in the hospital for anyone with any debilitating condition isn’t very nice but being in hospital over the Christmas period sucks. Let’s hope that the doctors and medical staff can find out what is wrong with you, Richard, and get you back home to Mary where your heart is as soon as possible in the New Year. We all miss you and love you. Billy and Sheila x
As for all of you who are not confined to your hospital beds this Christmas, wherever possible spend some quality time with your family and loved ones. Sheila and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. xx
Love and peace Bill xxx
Today is Carolina’s birthday. Carolina is the same age as my wife, Sheila, and was one of Sheila’s classmates when they were being educated at the ‘Convent of The Holy Infant Jesus‘ in Singapore during the late ’60s and ’70s. Have a lovely birthday, Carolina, and we are so glad that you will be able to share it at home with your family. Bill and Sheila xx
I also dedicate my song today to my sister Mary’s partner, Richard Lumb. Richard, who is in his early 80’s, is presently a patient at Pinderfield’s Hospital. He has been in and out of the hospital several times this past year and is being kept in the hospital over the Christmas period while he continues to have some tests performed. Today’s song is ‘I’ll be home for Christmas’ and ironically concludes with the words, ‘if only in my dreams’. Get well soon, brother. We all miss you. Billy and Sheila xx
This Christmas song was written by the lyricist Kim Gannon and composer Walter Kent. It was recorded in 1943 by Bing Crosby who scored a top ten hit with the song. Originally written to honour soldiers overseas who longed to be home at Christmas time, ‘I'll Be Home for Christmas’ has since gone on to become a Christmas standard.
The song is sung from the point of view of a soldier stationed overseas during ‘World War 11’. The soldier is writing a letter to his family. In the message, he tells the family he will be coming home and to prepare the holiday for him, and requests snow, mistletoe, and presents on the tree. The song ends on a melancholy note, with the soldier saying, "I'll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
There will be many people who would love to be home for Christmas, was it possible and circumstances did not prevent them. We still have serving soldiers abroad and there will be many hospital patients like our Richard who will spend time in hospital.
Several years ago, I took my wife and daughter out for their Christmas dinner. We had to abandon the meal and the day after, I was rushed into hospital. I’d already been diagnosed with a terminal blood cancer a few years earlier and had experienced nine months of chemotherapy. My cancer had transformed into a Lymphoma and I spent the following six weeks in the hospital, during which I almost died a few times. Unknown to either myself or my wife, a hospital medic had put a ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ instruction on me (which we only discovered a year later when I was in hospital undertaking another procedure and the nurse performing the procedure made a passing remark about it in my hospital file).
Although I did not think that I was dying with Lymphoma at the time, another six-month course of chemotherapy was commenced and had to be discontinued partway through because my body wasn’t strong enough to endure it. I will not forget laying awake throughout most of the night, being unable to sleep with the body pain and discomfort while the rest of the country was still enjoying the Christmas festivities.
Unfortunately, due to an outbreak of flu throughout Pinderfield’s Hospital at the moment, patient visiting is restricted and is time-limited. My sister Mary will bring Richard’s presents to the hospital on Christmas morning.
Being in the hospital for anyone with any debilitating condition isn’t very nice but being in hospital over the Christmas period sucks. Let’s hope that the doctors and medical staff can find out what is wrong with you, Richard, and get you back home to Mary where your heart is as soon as possible in the New Year. We all miss you and love you. Billy and Sheila x
As for all of you who are not confined to your hospital beds this Christmas, wherever possible spend some quality time with your family and loved ones. Sheila and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. xx
Love and peace Bill xxx
