Hospice Christmas Card with a Magical Story
“It was an amazing secret. A real lovely surprise that brought a tear to my eye,” explained Robert Mabey, who received a gift with a particularly personal touch at Christmas.
For over a decade, Aldeburgh residents have enjoyed the festive scene of a Christmas tree at the beach, near to the south lookout tower in the town, which Robert helped introduce to the coastal town when he was a member of Aldeburgh Business Association.
“We were keen to add some more festive decoration to the town, to bring festive cheer,” said Robert, who lives in Aldeburgh with his wife, Rev Johanna Mabey.
“After decorating the high street with small Christmas trees, we had a few trees left over which we then placed on the beach near Crag Path and the idea has grown and grown since, with us now always having a larger Christmas tree which is lit up on the beach.
“People love it and the local lifeboat team have even said how much they enjoy seeing the tree when they are coming back from the sea.
“Shingle and the sea always give great perspective and calmness, no matter life’s troubles. In fact, every year we have people leave messages and gifts on the tree to loved ones who are no longer with us – as they take a moment to reflect.”
Johanna said: “In 2023, my father Colin received support from St Elizabeth Hospice’s community team at home before his death from cancer. Their team were fantastic and continued to support my mum, Drusilla, through their counselling service – LivingGrief.
“While mum was attending one of her one-to-one sessions, we noticed the hospice was selling Christmas cards, with one of the card’s designs featuring Robert’s Christmas tree.
“It was such a lovely painted design. We bought as many as we could, to send to friends and family. Mum then had the brilliant idea of seeing if we could track down the original painting to give to Robert on Christmas Day.
“With the help of the hospice and Queen Bee Designs, we reached out to the artist, Sharon Kulesa, and explained our story and she very kindly said we could gift the painting to Robert as a present, with a donation being made to St Elizabeth Hospice.”
Robert added: “I was delighted to receive the painting. The tree means so much to me and to so many people in the local community. I am so proud it has become its epicentre of love in the town and to have such a stunning painting of the tree is amazing.
“It has pride of place in our sitting room, and brings a smile to my face every time I see it. I am so thankful to Johanna, her mum and to all involved who made this possible.”
