Sheila Walsh: The best Christmas I ever had

It’s easy to miss the thing right in front of you, says Sheila Walsh, even when it’s what you need most in the world 

My earliest Christmas memories are from my childhood in Scotland. These memories are filled with simple wonder. Cold, wintry mornings catching snowflakes on my tongue. Tangerines wrapped in red and silver foil at the bottom of my stocking. Cadbury’s chocolate boxes filled with all sorts of sweets. Brightly coloured paper chains to decorate our classrooms at school. Our little Christmas tree dusted off one more year, with a rosy-cheeked angel placed carefully on top. Fresh holly sprigs pushed behind every picture on the walls. The children’s service at church late on Christmas morning. We would bring our favourite toy to show, which made for the noisiest service of the year.