IT'S now a week since the tragic events in George Square that shocked the whole city and touched a nation.

Our hearts go out to all the families affected, especially over this festive period.

Christmas is meant to be a time of joy, laughter and families coming together to enjoy the festive spirit. That feeling was tinged when a lorry lost control and crashed on Queen Street on Monday afternoon.

The thought that that could have been any one of us out doing the last minute shopping, taking the kids to George Square or out for Christmas lunch with friends makes it even more real.

We all have our own memories and stories of George Square at Christmas. I remember my old man taking me as a wee boy to see the Christmas lights switch on.

I make a point of taking my own children there every year to see the lights and to enjoy the funfair. It's my excuse to get a toffee apple and go on the helter-skelter.

To think the crash that led to the loss of life took place just metres from there is unimaginable and saddening.

Those events combined with other tragedies that have taken place across the world over the last two weeks makes you recognise and appreciate what you have.

On Tuesday I attended a lovely and moving service at the St. George's Tron. This was followed by an equally fitting tribute at the St. Andrews Cathedral on Wednesday and special prayers at Glasgow mosques on Friday. People of all faiths and none coming together to say we stand side by side with all the families affected in their grief and sorrow.

I'm sure on Christmas Day we would have remembered all those suffering in our thoughts and our prayers.

A special thanks must go to the men and women of our emergency services. Last year they risked their own lives to protect the lives of others at the Clutha. The speed with which they brought the scene under control and provided support to the injured must be commended.

This was an incredible year for the city - the year of Glasgow - when the eyes of the world were on us with the Commonwealth Games, the MTV Music Awards and the Sports Personality of the Year awards. But it was a year bookended by two tragedies. The Clutha disaster last year and the tragic event last week.

Our city's motto is "People make Glasgow". That's because in good times and bad we come together as Glaswegians. We demonstrated that after the Clutha and we have done so again.

As we head into the New Year, I wish all Evening Times readers and my fellow Weegies a happy, healthy and successful 2015.

People make Glasgow - let's keep showing why.