I'm afraid visitors are starting to question my sanity.

The girls and I know it needs to come down, we're talking about it and trying to find the time.

As we must carefully box each Hallmark collectable ornament in its bubble wrap, remove and pack all the other baubles and decorations, unwind the tinsel and roll up the lights, then actually deconstruct the tree branch by branch ... the job takes hours.

We like to do it together - but when? Having comprehended that I might need to start the task alone, I still keep getting distracted by bill paying, cooking, cleaning and folding the washing. I had my annual haircut, stewed some gifted stone fruit, sewed a costume and applied for passports for the girls - just in case.

These things all seemed urgent, but were they? Why am I avoiding the Christmas tree pack-up?

I think, maybe, I just might want time to stand still.

Christmas 2019 was wonderful - with our whole family together.

Maybe I don't want that season of celebration to end.

I realise I've now entered the final year of my life with all three Grosser girls living at home with me.

While it's an incredibly difficult time, it's also magical and precious.

Katianna has embarked on her year 12 studies and hopes to be away at university by this time next year.

In only a month's time she will be licensed for independent driving and I shall no longer be required to taxi her and her girlfriends to all of those interesting places they go.

Although I'm confident my eldest child will come home for many more Christmases - and Katianna certainly won't pack-up her flower fairy ornaments and take them away any time soon - throughout the day they remind of the fleeting time I have left with a house full of exquisite girls.

Possibly next year there will be one less of us to help put the tree up and take it down.

Perhaps that's why I want us to do it together this one last time.

See, I'm not being lazy or irresponsible, just emotional and melancholy. Christmas in July anyone?