I hope that this blog finds you well and not too over-stuffed with mince pies, turkey and Christmas pudding?
As you are probably aware, I am not over-stuffed with food, and in fact took the advantage of having a couple of days off to do some extra training of my own, but also to get some long-overdue sleep!
So, my last blog was all about my sober Christmas, and day 3 in and it's okay I guess. To be honest, being on my own all day yesterday it was better that I was on my own and not drinking, than drowning my lonely sorrows in wine. I can't say I enjoyed Christmas Day, in fact it was the worst in a long time, but alcohol would not have helped it.
There was a very difficult time, when I opened my present from my lovely cousin Nicky in Sussex. She has sent me a beautiful hamper full of goodies to eat, and a lovely bottle of wine! When I do 'go sober' I make sure there is no alcohol in the house, so I stared at that lovely bottle of wine for a very long time! Then I put it back in the hamper, shut the hamper and put the kettle on! See, I do have willpower.
By the way I'm still raising money for St. Catherine's Hospice as my go sober finishes on 1st January!
Go online to virginmoneygiving.com/DebbieDoesDevon and donate there please?
Anyway, I have started this blog completely off topic, or maybe not, because to be alone at Christmas is not a good thing for anyone, but I have a nice safe, cosy house and my pets that keep me company, I have a television and radio, books, music to help relieve boredom. I have a bath and shower, and also a lovely big warm bed in a dry house where eventually I curled up into and slept safe and sound.
Wow eh? Everything I think we all take for granted?
I decided to go and help a local group of people on Christmas Eve, they are called the 'Devon Homeless Action Team' and to be honest, the name doesn't quite do them justice, because, they are in fact a bunch of superheroes in my mind. They are the 'A' Team for homeless people in Devon, and in particular Torbay and Brixham.
It was a friend of mine, Josh that put me on to them, his Uncle, Leroy is the guy, the legend, the superstar that started this Team and I can say now that I have never met such a kind-hearted, strong, respected, funny...well, the list goes on. I am in awe of this guy. Selfless to the core.
I arrived at Paignton train station at 7pm, the time that I would usually be getting to the pub, to drink bubbly, play music and ensure a hearty hangover for Christmas Day.
There I met Esme, Josh's Mum and together we met the rest of the DHAT crew for that evening.
There was another new volunteer there that night and there was a big team of 8 of us.
I jumped into a car and off we went to our first stop.
Now, I am not going to give away detail of where we went or who we saw, I don't think that's fair on those that we helped and also, if you really want to know what goes on, do some volunteering yourself? This happens all year round, it's not just for Christmas and I have pledged to help as much as I can in future.
We gave out sleeping bags, tents, Christmas presents of food and warm clothes, hot meals, tea, coffee and biscuits and I have never seen such grateful people in my life.
They are people, who, for whatever their reason for being in that situation, should not be ignored and cast out. I really don't know what would happen to the people I met that night if Leroy and his Team weren't doing this. He's been doing this for 3 years now and obviously made a massive difference to these people. He's like an every day Santa Claus, and the smiles on the faces of those he helps, when he is there with them, would make even the grumpiest person crack a grin.
We were responsible that night for securing a safe place for a lady in her 50's, who was very scared and in pain, and really could not have stayed out all night on the streets. The generosity of the Team was outstanding and at so many moments that night I had a little tear in my eye, it was a very emotional experience, and I'm a big softie!
In Torquay I was amazed at just how many homeless came down to meet us for help. And I am sure there were more that didn't.
Again, these were lovely people, grateful for help, smiles for us, jokes, and even Christmas cards given.
As Esme said to me as we were stood there....these people don't cause trouble here. The trouble-makers are the ones in the pubs and bars, spending money to get drunk, inevitably to spill out onto the streets to cause trouble and start fights. The people we helped were genuine, with genuine problems that obviously couldn't be sorted out.
As I said, I don't want to give too many details, but the last guy we saw really made me think, and in a selfish way, about my own life.
I had to have a word with myself yesterday when I was feeling lonely and down about everyone being with their families and friends, I had to remind myself what I have, and if I had wanted to really not be on my own at Christmas, I could have invaded my brothers house, probably causing an argument between us! But, again, I put on the kettle, made some tea and headed to my warm bed, in my house and thought to myself, you really are a lucky girl, stop being such an idiot and appreciate what you actually have.
I came back from Paignton on Christmas Eve a completely different person to the one I went out as, and it's taken me until now to process this.
Already this week I was inspired by the generosity of someone who I don't really know that well, who gave to St. Catherine's and that started the ball rolling on the kind of people who are in the world.
I guess you can call them the 'Givers' and 'Takers' I wonder what makes both sorts tick sometimes. I was out running in the mud today contemplating this. You see, I like to think of myself as a giver, a fundraiser for those less fortunate, but I do it to stop myself thinking of me, and what I want, or what troubles me. If I help someone else, I don't have to focus on my issues and the things that worry me on a daily basis, that's not just it, I just love to help, but it does help me feel better about myself.
What I don't understand is those that do nothing, except for themselves, that mentality I don't think I will ever get to be honest.
So, after a thought-provoking few days, this is my honest account of what I've been up to, both physically and mentally. I do think though, that everyone needs to do what I did on Christmas Eve, I didn't really need a wake up call, but I got it, imagine what it may do for other people?
I hope you've has a happy festive time.....let's crack on now with 2016 and maybe more people out there will try and make a difference and think about someone other than themselves for once?
I know I'm going to get the 'haters' for this blog, but the comments will only come from the guilty ones, it's your conscience my lovelies, and only you are in control of it.
*IMPORTANT*
The DHAT are in need of a minibus to help with their work. If the weather gets really cold and dangerous they need to move people to the Church for safety and warmth. It would also help them with the daily food transport around the area. Please could you get your thinking caps on and think about some fundraising ideas for this? Do you know of anyone selling a minibus? Please please please, this would really be a 'godsend' if this could happen.
Have a great start to 2016.......................
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