#2,752

Before Mickey's birthday (her 61st) in November, and possibly even before Jessi's (her 29th) in October, we all solemnly agreed that our 'wish lists' for Christmas should be kept short. But yesterday evening when the ladies in red descended upon my little flat, all looked quite splendid and by no means reflected the fact that not one of us is currently at all prosperous.

Wishes were granted, champagne was quaffed and we agreed that sushi made a pleasant change from the traditional goose.

But before afternoon became evening there was time to watch the movie file that Jessi had been given by her BFF and quasi-sister the day before. It documented the August nuptials in Mexico City, and I have never seen a more spectacular wedding video. It was professionally shot and edited with great sensitivity, and in spite of the incredibly lavish celebrations staged for the marriage of Dominique and Daniel, it was very touching. We agreed that it struck a welcome positive and optimistic note in a 2017 that had not been joyful for too many people we knew.   

We count ourselves very fortunate indeed. There are fathers of Jessica's contemporaries, approaching retirement, who have just been abandoned by their wives, others slipping into alcohol dependency or incapacitated by illnesses. In comparison, Auld Da feels reasonably chipper and is not tempted to touch the Glenkinchie 12-year-old malt (yes, it was as always on the 'wish list') until the computer is turned off at the end of a day's work!

Another wish was granted in the form of a new portrait of Jessi which needed to be properly displayed on my desk. This implied that much of today would be taken up with the task of getting rid of a lot of rubbish which has accumulated over the past few years. In many ways, I am not the minimalist I pretend to be, but one who is easily seduced by quirky and ephemeral tchotchkes. Not that I have consigned such items to the trash can, I have merely moved them to other places in my flat! The result now? Jessi grins at me over her shoulder and reminds me of my very good luck.