Sorry to hear about your niece H500, an awful time of year for something like that to happen and even more compounded by the forthcoming occasion.
An observation; with that unfortunate incident in the family, you're not really playing Devil's Advocate though are you?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_advocate
Imho this thread has reached a point where it can simmer until the New Year.
Have a good Christmas everyone.
Enjoy your family, enjoy your friends, enjoy your work colleagues (if they're not your friends), enjoy the friends that you've just met, enjoy the time together.
And for those of us working over the festive season, fly safe and as always, the kettle's on at 'our place' if you're popping by 