Good afternoon. The first item of business is time for reflection. Our time for reflection leader today is Mr David Nicholson of the Scottish churches disability agenda group.
Presiding Officer, members of the Scottish Parliament: I thank you for allowing me to share time for reflection.
I want to share with you a story in which I took part, although I do not recall it happening. I had come home on summer holiday from the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh and was told that a lady a few doors down from where we lived had recently lost her husband by death. I appear to have made no response to that, but I must have resolved the following day to go and visit her. What had a seven-year-old to say to a grieving widow? I made the visit and, when my mother found me, I was sitting resplendent in the armchair, drinking tea and tucking into home-made fruitcake.
Last Sunday was not just St Andrew’s day but the first Sunday in advent, when we think of celebrating Christmas. Advent is a time for thinking about that when we are wrapping presents and finding cards for friends and family, and thinking about how we are going to plan and celebrate Christmas day itself.
But some people in our communities—perhaps one of your constituents, or a friend or a member of your family—will have been going through hell on earth during the year as the result of the death of a loved one or the break-up of a marriage or a partnership.
I think of the angels’ song to the shepherds: they brought good news of joy to all people. Perhaps we might give a thought to all people regardless of their colour and background, and regardless of their faith or even if they have none. If we plan to enjoy our Christmas—and I hope that we have a happy one—we too can perhaps stretch out a hand of friendship, or even give a small gesture that will make someone’s Christmas that little bit brighter. Perhaps you can send a card to say, “Thinking of you,” or, if you are very brave, you can ring the doorbell and go in.
I return to my story. I was told by my mother that the lady I visited spoke on many occasions to her family and friends about my visit, and told them that it had been a turning point in her life.