Show someone they are loved

John Lewis’ poignant Christmas advertisement has once again highlighted the sadness of many of those who live alone. But in it we see the joy of the ‘man on the moon’ when the little girl reaches out to him with concern and love.

Christmas can be an exceptionally hard time for those who are alone. Some don’t have family or many friends or perhaps they live far away and don’t get to see them very often.

My mother was always so grateful to God that she had her family around her and that she often saw them. I lived and looked after her for 26 years until, after spending the last few months in a care home, she died at the age of 96. She was not lonely.

But I know that is not the case for everyone. Thankfully, there are charities and organisations in the town which are well aware of this issue of loneliness, especially for the elderly. Not least of course, the many churches in the town who welcome people into their church families.

There is a verse in the bible which says ‘God sets the lonely in families’ (Psalm 68:6). It is wonderful to be part of a loving church family and many can testify to that. However, there are things we can do as individuals too. Perhaps there is a ‘man on the moon’ that you know – maybe in your road or mine that we could visit or invite in for a cup of tea and show some love and care to? If we all reached out to even one person, I’m sure there wouldn’t be so many lonely people in Horsham.

Julie Shimizu

LCBC are not promoting the supermarket but their excellent depiction of showing someone that they are loved.