‘I will miss my sister SO MUCH this Christmas'

Facing a second Christmas without her sister, Ruth Langsford is trying to stay positive

- GEORGIA FARQUHARSON

Christmas is set to look a little different for everyone this year with the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. And oneperson who knows what it’s like to experience difficulty and grief around the festive period is Ruth Langsford, who will this year mark the second Christmas without her sister, Julia.

Ruth, 60, lost her sister last summer after she took her own life following a battle with depression.

And, as Christmas looms again, Ruth is, no doubt, battling a host of emotions as she prepares to celebrate what was her sister’s favourite time of the year…

A BITTERSWEET TIME

Ruth has made no secret of the fact that Christmas can be a difficult time for those who are grieving. ‘It is going to be very hard,’ she explains. ‘Christmas is going to be challenging for everyone, but we have to try to remain optimistic.’

The festive season also happened to be Julia’s favourite time of the year, which makes it even more bittersweet. And while last year Ruth contemplated cancelling Christmas entirely – when it fell just six months after Julia’s death – she decided against it. ‘I could cancel Christmas, but my sister loved it so I’m having turkey and we’ll put Christmas carols on,’ she admitted at the time. ‘I’m sure we’ll cry, but we’ll also be happy.’