Do you remember going back to school after a long summer break, with an assignment to write a story about your holiday? 

My Dad, a primary school teacher, was the sole breadwinner of the family, and he didn’t receive any paycheques over the summer. It was always a lean time, as we could never save enough during the rest of the year. Holidays away were a rarity for our family. 

So I couldn’t help thinking of those days when reminiscing about this year’s Christmas break.  I chose to take off only the public holidays.   

Alas, it was different this time from previous occasions: my patients granted me no reprieve.