The Gift of Time
Happy Christmas and all the best for 2026
Friends,
This year, I’ve been playing hide and seek with myself. I put one foot forward with a new, bright idea. Something happens and I withdraw, hold back, step down. Then I add the idea to the pile.
I did this again with the annual letter I send to friends and family, allowing my perception of 2025 (difficult, draining, can’t wait for it to be over) to produce something second-rate, which ignored many good moments—flecks of gold woven through a lamentably plain scarf.
Of course, it’s not about having the freedom to follow up every creative idea, potential project or collaboration. We all have limits on our time: jobs, children, grandchildren, ageing parents, commitments to honour, tasks still waiting their turn.
As I write this, I don’t have the energy or time to create a masterpiece for you, which is part of the problem, because not everything we do needs to be a masterpiece.
But I did want to say something about the events that took place at Bondi Beach Park just over a week ago. It’s a place that is deeply significant for me, and for many others. I walked to the site of the floral memorial two days after the attack. I couldn’t bring myself to take photos.
As you know, I’ve been trying for some time to create a project about how we are in conversation with each other: person to person, and as a society. I’m no longer sure whether that’s even possible, or whether it’s the right focus.
What is the right focus? I think it’s… Time.
The families affected by this tragedy have suddenly lost time with the fifteen people who were killed in cold blood.
Dozens more have had their lives changed forever, by the injuries they now bear, and by the memories of that evening.
There has been much discussion of the ‘angels’ who rushed to help, the light in the midst of darkness. I find this deeply uplifting.
But being robbed of time with someone—time we assume we have; no chance to say goodbye; the abrupt end of potential, this is what I find truly heartbreaking.
Time is my guiding word for the future.
I’ve so enjoyed spending time with you, and I’m grateful to everyone who reads my words, looks at my work, who notices. I hope you, too, can carve out time for the people you love.
Because you don’t know what’s around the corner.
Sending you Seasons Greetings, blessings, and a wish for many happy moments in 2026.
Jane xx
PS (Strongly suggest you watch Love Actually)
Merry Christmas and a happier new year to you and yours Jane.
It has been a terrible year for sure, with nasty people in power, wars and atrocities.
The world needs people like you to help us maintain resolve and strength in these times. I meet and am with wonderful people every day, and we must reassure ourselves that we are in the vast majority. We also must do as much as we can to combat the negative forces and their influence when we can, including speaking out.
All power to you in your endeavours.
Hello Jane from Calgary,
That tragedy at Bondi took me back to when you helped people a couple of years ago and now this which is eerily similar.
You are right when you talk about the Gift of Time. As I’m aging there never seems enough hours in a day to accomplish what I need as it’s not always about me.
We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a healthy 2026 from Canada, where it is very cold at the moment.