Suzanne Lambert - Christmas at the Ragdoll Orphanage

To Daniel Bunyard, my publisher, who gave me the opportunity of a lifetime, and Punteha, Senior Features Writer for Take a Break, who started me off on this journey. Bless you both for your constant guidance and your belief in me, without which this book would never have been written. Thanks also to Take a Break magazine for organizing the competition which led me to start writing this book, and to Sarah Day for all her patience and the wonderful job she did in editing it.

It is a beautiful and rare soul that walks alongside you during lifes challenges, smiles, takes your hand and encourages you to try again. I have had the honour and privilege during times in my life to have those people at my side.

Krystynne Gabriel (Teacher of Light and a Channel for Goddess Light and the Starlight Energies; www.elestialstar.co.uk). Out of sheer curiosity I went to one of her angel workshops and my life changed from that day on thank you not only from myself but from all those, and there are many, to whom you have given a part of yourself. Forever looking to others needs, not only listening but hearing with such a caring heart even during your own life challenges. Always there at the end of a telephone or email, with a permanently open door to those of us who are struggling to cope.

I love Krystynnes home. From the minute you set foot in the door, you feel calm. Hundreds of crystals and angels are all around you, and a friend is immediately by your side, listening and hearing one hundred per cent, never for one moment judging, just caring and letting you cry seriously, Krystynne should have shares in Kleenex and, most importantly, giving you chocolate! There is always a big tin of chocolates in her house. Chocolate helps ground us, apparently. Well, thats a good enough excuse for me, thank you very much. Bring on the chocolate bars!

My precious friend Cassy. From the moment we met I knew it would be an honour to be part of your life. Always there for me, even through those times when your bravery shone through the challenges you were facing. May angels constantly be at your side.

Richard Alnwick, one of the most gifted, creative and kind people I have ever known. It has been an honour to be part of your journey in life, and of Paulines, your mother, who simply accepts me wholeheartedly for who I was, have been and will be. Five minutes in your company and my heart is eased and life is well again. God bless you both.

Frank McChrystal, for his technical wizardry. I was not blessed with any degree of technical understanding whatsoever. You are however not only a technical wonder but a genuinely kind and caring person. Thank you for your patience.

To Catherine, who was so looking forward to reading the book but unfortunately went home early. Our thoughts turn to you many times, Catherine, you were such fun and a genuinely lovely person. I have asked Mum to break with tradition and get out the wine and give you a hug from Margaret and the girls. May God bless you always.

To my many friends, old and new: I have been so lucky to have you all in my life. Some of you I have known for over forty years and together we created some of my greatest memories. You are all friends in the truest sense of the word, always there when times were fun, and there twice as much to love and support me through the hard times.

Pauline Walker, who made me part of her family and whose girls are now both parents themselves. For all those wonderful weekends when your house was mine and you all made me feel so special, so loved and so needed, may God bless you for that.

My lovely friends at ADT, where I worked, who were the first people to read my story and encourage me to keep writing, who would read my ramblings during their lunch hour and constantly support me.

My crazy and wonderful friends Gillian, Sharon and Caryl. We have laughed and cried together, and here we still are, caring about each other. Lives move on, and we may not see each other as often as we used to, yet we live still safe in the knowledge that at the drop of a hat we will be at each others side if needed.

Elaine: to have a friend spanning forty-six years of my life is incredible. When we get together, all we ever do is reminisce and laugh. You were the first person to accept me totally for who I was, and you were and still are one of the kindest, sweetest people I know. We do not talk of love but, as Mum would say, it is there all the same in the way we care about each other. Thank you, Elaine. Your friendship is priceless.

Nicola Baines and Sarah Whibley, now with children of their own, who have accepted me into their lives without knowing how much it means to me to see their children and my grandchild all together celebrating birthdays, or simply days, together. Family days, you see, mean so much to me. Thank you, my darlings.

To Eileen Cockburn, whose friendship I value more than you could know. To be invited by yourself and Colin to your family table is something I am most grateful for.

The Smalleys and Nancys family for welcoming me all those years ago and forever treating me as one of your own.

My cousin Pat, for all her research and keeping me right with times and dates. You are one of those rare people in this world who truly has a heart of gold. Through all the many challenges she has been thrown in this life, she has faced each one with courage, grace and dignity. I admire you greatly, Pat, and am proud to be your cousin.

To Andrea Bocelli, RyanDan and Josh Groban. Every word in this book has been written while listening to you sing. You inspired me with your music, which brings to the world all that is most beautiful. Thank you.

My husband, Harry, for his constant support, encouragement and, most of all, his patience during the writing of this book and his kindness to Mum.

My son-in-law, John, who I love so very much, and my grandson, Samus, who brings smiles, laughter, acceptance and a heart full of love.

Finally, my daughter, Gemah Louise, a beautiful, caring and compassionate soul. You make my life one of pure joy and constant laughter. I am so very proud of you and love you beyond words. I see in front of me every day in a beautiful Egyptian frame the words written in Egyptian script by your own hand: Mum, for a moment in my heart, for ever in my soul. Gemah, I smile when I think of you; I close my eyes and I see you. No matter what challenges I have faced, I would do it all again just to share one moment of my journey with you.

PENGUIN BOOKS

Suzanne Lambert is the winner of Penguin and Take a Break magazines life-story competition. She lives in Newcastle, and this is her first book.

How many people have paused at those large, black, iron gates with the big pillars either side and stood at the top of the long driveway, not knowing what life holds in store for them from that moment on?

It was January 1930, and Christmas was over for another year. It had snowed almost all of December and had started again today. The snow was bright on the ground but the skies were overcast and heavy, casting a dull light on the three figures standing at the gates.

The father was smartly dressed in a suit and tie and a cloth cap covered in snow. His two young daughters, Nancy and Margaret, gripped his hands tightly. They had walked with their heads down against the snowstorm, only lifting them now, to see the stone sign carved with the words NAZARETH HOUSE. They were here.