My father died 7 weeks ago although it was very sudden, Christmas is going to be very strange without him.

My Dad loved Christmas, it was his favourite time of year and as we start to count those weeks until the big day, for my family its going to be a christmas we will never forget.

We have decided as a family, I have 2 brothers who are older than me and have children of their own, to spend Christmas Day together. It seems the right and best thing to do.

For the last 3 weeks my Mum and I have thrown ourselves into Christmas Shopping, which has helped to ease the pain of grieving, but not my bank account. My Mum and Dad have 4 Grandchildren, 1 of them being Jack who is only 1, so we can't spend the whole of Christmas time crying into our mince pies, its them we have to think about.

I hope that everyone who will be spending Christmas alone, albeit out of choice or because they have lost a loved one, remembers the children as they are the ones who look forward to Christmas all year around, and for them we should be happy, regardless of any pain we are feeling inside.

I saw an interview with Cilla Black a few weeks ago, and she said "Christmas is just one day, look forward not back" She is so right. I miss my dad every day so why should the fact that its Christmas make any difference to the way that I miss him ?

I am lucky in that I have a close family and and a close relationship with my Mum, so I have a feeling that Christmas this year will be a good one, it will be tough and no doubt a few tears shed, but life does carry on whether its Christmas or not.

Have a Happy Christmas everyone !