I’m awake early, Lord, and thought I would spend a quick amount of time with you before the day turns psycho and all hope of rational thought (not to mention rational action) will fly out of the window. I awoke feeling rather panicked – although whether it was from dreaming about Caroline’s dire predicament or from the nightmare of worrying about how I’m going to feed so many people on Christmas Day – none of whom have the capacity to help – I’m not quite certain.
Poor Caroline. In spite of my catering nightmares, my first thought really has to be for her and how terrible she must be feeling at the moment. I bet it doesn’t even seem real – the same way you feel after someone unexpectedly dies – as though you are merely waiting for them to come through the door at any moment. I’m still not quite sure what to do for her just yet, or even if there is anything I can do that would really make a blind bit of difference under the circumstances. It occurred to me that I could send Linley around there today to give aid and succour, but on reflection that would be more of a curse than a kindness if her track record around this place is anything to go by. I also thought I could do the opposite – leave Linley here with my kids and go myself – but that didn’t seem any more of a sensible idea either.
I could ask Andrew if there’s any possibility of him taking the day off so I could try and be all things to all people without dropping any of the balls, but he’s already told me how pushed he will be to finish his workload by Christmas Eve, so clearly that idea won’t be a flier. As it is I think he’s almost reeling as much as I am by not only Logan’s desertion but by the sheer numbers of people coming to us on Friday. My horror number of thirteen has been added to considerably what with Jess, Madison, Caroline, Faith, Trinity and Christian now coming – that’s eighteen people, Lord! The most I’ve ever cooked for was ten and now that I think about it, that was hardly a resounding success. And if, by some miracle James and Jasmine turn up, that would be twenty people!
I wonder what Siberia is like at this time of year? Or Alaska, for that matter.
Oh, I’ve suddenly thought of Libby! That’s what I’ll do…I’ll ring Libby. I’m sure Caroline wouldn’t mind or think I was betraying a confidence if I told Libby since no one in the world could be more sensible or practical in a crisis. She might even have some hot tips for mass catering while she’s at it!
I commit today to you and my crazy life and crazy friends and equally crazy family into your tender care…in Jesus’ name…Amen