Christmas — Body of Work

#171 I bowled my heart out for Australia...

On Christmas Day, in a family backyard, I bowled my heart out for Australia.

At 45 years of age, I was seven years older than the late Robert (Bob) “Dutchy” Holland OAM who debuted for the Australian Men’s Test Team, donning the baggy green for the 1984/85 series against the mighty West Indies who were the world’s cricket powerhouse of the era.

The pitch was grassy, the wickets an outdoor chair, and there were vociferous appeals bordering on unsportsmanlike conduct, particularly when there is, without question, no leg before wicket in backyard cricket.

AnecdoteBrian Wightman2 January 2022Christmas, family, cricket

An ajar Christmas Eve

The door should not have been left slightly open; it was an accident; a forgotten formality after tasks were completed. It did not really matter but created an accidental air of excitement and expectation. I should not have been looking but it was impossible to avoid the quickest glance en route to the bathroom again...

Struggling to sleep with excitement and with anxious feelings preventing shut-eye, I was desperate to see the presents yet petrified that I may come face to face with Santa Claus.

He was such an unknown and there was a clear and present threat that gifts could be rescinded should I disturb him at his work.

Reflection, AnecdoteBrian Wightman21 December 2020Christmas, cricket, cricket bat, Kashmir willow, Christmas Eve, ajar, door, Allpro, Slazenger

Merry Christmas...Tree...

My family has an elaborate faux Christmas tree.

It has not always been that way.

Once upon a time, a popular department store plastic and wire excuse of a tree that adorned our sunroom with a unique lean that had to be leveled with the assistance of a folded sheet of A4 was all we had for Christmas.

There was not enough tinsel across Northern Tasmania to hide its inadequacy.

The tree signified Christmas and that meant so much, but it was half-baked ornamentation at best.