A Christmas Tale of the Three Amigos

Now if you have read our previous tale of the ‘Three Amigos’ then you will know the story of how Brain, Body and Bottom have the most remarkable friendship. And that they were always connected to each other since as long as any of them can remember and also to this (now not so young) human Miss Determination (or Mrs as she had now finally put a ring on it).  They had all been on such a journey with each other which had lots of ups and downs and some quite big bumps in the road but made this their bond all the more special.

However, this tale isn’t about their journey it’s one about Christmas which I hope you’ll enjoy all the same.

A Christmas Tale of the Three Amigos

It was early December and Christmas was fast approaching for the Three Amigo’s Brain, Body and Bottom. It was strange how this always seemed to surprise them as Christmas as far as they knew was always on the same day each year. The shops and stores, much to Bottoms bewilderment had been putting out items since as early as October. It seemed that Christmas was starting earlier and earlier each year which Bottom thought was a shame. She particularly liked the Autumn months and didn’t want to miss out on these. In particular she liked the smells and sound of the crisp leaves on the ground as trees shed their leaves ready for the winter and the firework displays lighting up the skies on bonfire night. Selfish or not she didn’t want to miss out on the magic of these months too as these deserved just as much attention she thought.

Either way it was soon to be Christmas and Brain was already feeling the stress of it all. Her mind was in a tizz. There were so many things to do, decorate the house, write all the Christmas cards, buy all the presents, sort out Secret Santa and buy enough food for Christmas dinner all whilst still trying to do what Brain already did.

Body like most previous years was desperately trying every last-ditch attempt to get in shape so she could fit into the sparkly cocktail dress she had hung up now for a good few years. As she sat on the couch wrapped tightly in cling film ‘This year’ she told the others. ‘This will be the year I get into my sparkly cocktail dress’. When Brain chirped up ‘You’ve no chance you’d be better selling it on G-bay or Dinted and get something that fits you….like an Ooodie maybe?’  Bottom whom thought this comment wasn’t helpful at all to the situation said ‘Body why don’t you sell that dress and maybe get something you really want and besides, you look lovely in anything, you have such an amazing body that does so much for us all’

Body sat back and looked down on herself covered in cling film, she did think she looked kind of silly so slowly started to unravel herself then went to the kitchen and grabbed a mince pie that she had her eye on now for several days. Everything in moderation Brain had always told her so that’s what she would do.

Christmas Past

Now Christmas’ hadn’t always been a success in the Determination household. One year Body fell down a pair of ladders onto the banister on Christmas Eve whilst trying to get the tree down from the loft. This ended up with her spending Christmas day in A&E with broken ribs whilst Brain and Bottom sat in silence eating Christmas dinner wondering what to do. Another year Bottom drunk too much giggle juice early doors then went outside made Christmas Angels in the snow and ended up in bed for the rest of the night (all before the Queen’s speech). Then there was the year Brain had forgotten to put the oven on at 5am like she had planned in order to cook the turkey and all the trimmings. That year they ended up eating cheese and biscuits for Christmas dinner.

There were always the usual rows normally over silly things and family ‘friendly’ games. Pictionary and Trivial Pursuits always seemed to be a favourite. One year it was a misunderstanding over an advert and a bar of chocolate, next year it was a language barrier (or accent) between Brain and Body which led to a rather strange drawing of ‘draughts’ and a very good drawing of a giraffe.

The strange thing was they survived and it was one of those rare times they all got together, spent time away from social media and distractions and actually laughed and enjoyed each others company.

Christmas Present

Brain, Bottom and Body knew this Christmas would be slightly different to previous years because of all they were currently going through and they didn’t have much money. But each in their own way they were still very much looking forward to it. See Brain knew that going to listen to Christmas carols at the Cathedral which they always did on Christmas Eve would be difficult this year due to her noise and light sensitivity. As would going to crowded places, visiting Christmas markets, going to pantomimes, and seeing Christmas lights. She felt slightly upset with this not for herself but for the others they had been through enough and she didn’t want them to miss out on all the fun. But then Body said she would take her out on little walks and look at the decorations in the woods and if they were really lucky they might see a reindeer. Bottom also suggested they should have Christmas film nights dressed in pj’s with the fire on. She knew it wasn’t the same but appreciated the sentiment from her friends all the same.

Brain whom had been stressing about spending unnecessary money couldn’t understand why people bought Secret Santa gifts as if she wanted something then why didn’t she just go and get it. Previous years she had received some right ‘crap’ as Bottom would have put it. But then Bottom reminded her of how Body’s face lit up the year when she opened the ab belt secret Santa (Brain) had given her. Brain did like that part of Christmas seeing the faces on people she loved light up, smiling opening gifts she had secretly bought or even made for them. But she didn’t tell them it was from her. Knowing that she had done something nice was all that she needed she was quite happy knowing that they thought of her as Scrooge.

Body also like to give gifts to those less fortunate than them. She didn’t know why but it gave her a warm fuzzy feeling deep down in her belly. Bottom liked to spread Christmas cheer and would say hello to everyone she passed and talk well…. ‘crap’ to people in the street. She did this because she hoped that by doing so, she might just make someone feel a little less sad and lonely even if it was just for one day.

Christmas Future

The Three Amigos didn’t know really what the future held for them but what they did know is that the Jones’ on the street had their decorations up for weeks now so they best get cracking. Body climbed up into the loft with a big push from Bottom. She was careful not to fall down the ladders like previous years. She got down the Christmas tree and boxes of decorations and passed them to Brain. Together the three amigos brought them down stairs and started to put the tree together. They looked at the decorations which brought back so many happy memories of previous Christmas’ they had spent together. Bottom couldn’t understand why people would get new decorations year after year when the old dishevelled looking ones were the ones which gave so much joy not the new shiny ones. Especially the ones that reminded them of loved ones no longer here.

This year for once putting up the tree didn’t involve arguing like usual. Normally ending with Brain left in a room all by herself scratching her head trying to put the decorations on the tree as perfect as she could. This year the three worked together helping each other passing tinsel and putting on little baubles.

Brain whom was wrapped around a big string of lights even suggested putting on a bit of Mariah Carey as she really did like that song and knew the others would too. She thought she could cope with it for at least a couple of minutes even if she had to wear her ear defenders. Bottom whom was well into her third mulled giggle juice by now turned up the radio and smiled.

They stood together and looked at the tree proud of their efforts. It certainly wasn’t the biggest tree they had seen but it was indeed very special. Body looked at the two friends and said ‘Do you know what, I know things can be hard some days but were luckier than most.’

‘In what way?’ Bottom said.

Body said ‘Well we’ve got something most people don’t have’

‘What’s that?’ asked Brain.

‘Each other’ said Body.

They all looked at each other and smiled.

Then Brain stood back and looked a the tree. She paused for a moment then said ‘it’s not right it’s missing something’. Body and Bottom rolled their eyes.

Then she said ‘it’s missing this'(as she pulled out a shiny star from behind her back).

‘I know why don’t you get on my shoulders Bottom’ Body said. Bottom climbed on Body’s shoulders she got the star and said ‘After three I’m going to put the star on the tree and I think we should all make a wish’. She put the star on the tree and said ‘One, two, three’. The Three Amigos all closed their eyes and each made a wish. They didn’t tell each other what they had all wished for and hopefully it would come true.

Christmas Eve

It was Christmas Eve and the Three Amigos had just finished watching their favourite Christmas film. They wanted to get an early night so Brain suggested they all go to bed but then Body reminded her about leaving out the stockings for their surprise wishes in the morning. Brain thought this was a load of nonsense but then Bottom reminded her it was Christmas so not to spoil the magic.

They each put their stockings out on the fireplace hoping that in the morning there would be a nice surprise inside.

Christmas Day

It was Christmas day and the Three Amigos woke up extra early which was extremely rare especially for Bottom as she normally liked to lay in bed until at least dinner time. Body sprung out of bed and shook Brain with excitement whom was dizzy at this point. To both of their amazements Bottom was already at the end of the bed in her dressing gown waiting for them to get their arses out of bed.

They crept down stairs and could see the three stockings hung on the fireplace. It looked like something was weighing each of them down. Excitedly they each grabbed their own stocking. In it was a great big satsuma the juiciest one you could ever find and also some chocolate gold coins. The three couldn’t believe their luck. They must have been good this year.

Body looked inside the stocking there was another present wrapped inside. She slowly pulled it out and opened it with excitement. It was a smoothie maker. Excellent she thought as she had rather indulged over the Christmas period.

Brain looked inside her stocking there was also a present she opened it up and smiled. It was a black sparkly cocktail dress. She knew who it was from but didn’t say anything, the reaction from Body was enough.

The two friends turned to Bottom whom didn’t have anything in her sack. ‘Where’s your present Bottom?’ said Body ‘haven’t you got anything, didn’t your wish come true?’

‘Don’t worry’ said Brain ‘you can borrow my party dress if you want to?’

To which Body added ‘and I can make you a nice smoothie anytime you want’.

But bottom looked at the two friends and smiled and said ‘There isn’t anything in my socking because everything I wished for is here. I wished that Miss Determination wouldn’t give up hope and that we would all be here for many more Christmas’s to come. That’s all I ever want.‘

The three friends looked at each other and gave each other the biggest, tightest hug they could. Christmas really was magical but so was most days they were together.

To my wonderful family and friends sending you love and thanks for all your help and support. Here’s to many more Christmas’ together

x x x