Christmas Snow

Our Christmas snow came a day late and did it come! We had 9 or 10 inches in our driveway and it was heavy. Late or not it was welcome as we miss the white stuff. Weather people said we had more snow today than all last winter.

I began ridding my driveway of snow when my neighbour Amazing Grace [80] came over to give me a hand. She was up much earlier and already cleared her large driveway. Grace is a great neighbour.

Our back yard was covered and there was a track of a rabbit trying to make it's way to some cedar branches for breakfast. He had a hard time but finally made the trip pay as he was treated to green cedar bows.

After the busy Christmas rush it is nice to be able to sit back and enjoy a day without any obligations. Our travelling family all got home before the snow storm and that was good as we had no cause to worry. There were so many fender benders as it was the first significant snow for some time.

The snow turns our world into a fairy land, covering the cruel winter ground with a beautiful blanket of pure white snow. I love snow at Christmas and this year we got our wish. This helps to make this year even more perfect.

Family Christmas Gathering

This year we were able to look around the room and see every member of our family. We got together at Lynda and Peter's place and from the first minute to the time we departed we heard  nothing but laughter and joyful conversation.

The turkey dinner and all the celebration results in much effort on the part of the host but they have been doing this for a while so it now has become a tradition. We communicate on a regular basis but being in the same room is really special. Our 8 grandchildren are growing up and can no longer be thought of as children. They have noisy and earnest debates about everything and I love to see that each has a mind of their own and have no difficulty expressing it.

Christmas is such a wonderful season and day that we look forward to this gathering for months ahead.This year it was so great to have all together that picture taking was a major event. It is always a good idea to document these celebrations as you never know when we will all be together again.

As the celebration ends we all go off our separate ways talking of the wonderful Christmas of 2012 and planning next year's get together.

Arctic Christmas Tree

During the years I lived in the High Arctic I was amazed at the creativity of the Inuit when it came to Christmas trees. In recent years the artificial tree has become an institution but in years gone by the people made do with what they had.

My best memory of a special Christmas tree was in 1999. This was the year when Nunavut was just about prepared to celebrate it's status as a Territory of Canada. An area the size of one fifth of Canada's land and a population of less than 25 thousand people scattered in twenty six hamlets seemed like a impossible task to make a workable union.

That year at Xmas there were exciting things happening for the people and in our hamlet the decision was to have a hamlet tree like they do down south. A local airline, Adler Air surprised everyone by bringing in some real spruce trees. The children were seeing a real tree for the first time and felt and smelt the spruce trees.

One tree in particular was picked for the hamlet tree and it was placed in the community hall. Children and adults were invited to bring a decoration to place on the tree. The Hamlet Council declared a Hamlet Feast and it seemed like the whole population came to the hall for traditional food and to see this huge tree.

As the people came they placed the decorations on the tree. Nearly all were made by the people and within a half an hour the tree was so covered with decorations there was little room for even one more. The lights were not put on until the official time when an elder prayed and made a toast to our first Hamlet Tree for Nunavut. The lights were lit and everyone clapped and shouted and rejoiced in the fact that they had their own territory and the beginning a a new tradition. It was a beautiful tree and after the Xmas season was over the elders packed away all the decorations to be kept for the next year.

A local teacher led the community in Christmas Carols sung in the Inuit language. It sounded so beautiful with true spirit of community coming forward through song. I shall never forget that  special day back in Akaluktutiak, Nunavut.

Pre Christmas Fun

The days leading up to Christmas are usually filled up with chores like cleaning, travelling, shopping and baking. One of the pre-Christmas joys can be felt with gift wrapping.

At this time you have a opportunity to make sure that you have picked out the perfect gift for all the ones you care about. Theresa is a professional gift wrapper. She practically measures every piece of paper to make sure it matches. These days her job is made easier as bags have become popular and so much better as they could be used many times over the years.

Preparing for Christmas is a happy chore as your efforts are intended to make the friends and family feel better when they come to visit. We get excited about Christmas right after American Thanksgiving and the happiness builds until Christmas day. The expectations of the day and the season is half the joy so we hope everyone is happy and joyful because of the true meaning of Christmas.

The Tradition Lives On

Xmas Eve at our place with quiet times of special food and drink. Off to bed to be fresh for the morning of fellowship and sharing of gifts and Lynda's Xmas breakfast. A few hours of intense social interaction and then the breakaway for a couple of hours of family quietness and preparations for the family feast. Turkey of course and all the trimmings with more sweets to follow and finally everyone is mellow and beginning to talk about the great day we had. It is over in a twinkle of an eye but the seeds are already sown for the next year. The kids are sorting out who will be here and who will not and so on.

These days are so important for the life of the family and the bonding that takes place. Even though we are a tight knit family we depend on these days to help us hold on to that special something which I call the family brand. To say I am proud of our family ties would be a true statement but I see something unique happening here as the family grows and reaches out to the extended families represented around our table.I sit in wonder to see the happy faces and the verbage expressed by the young ones and I think that this family is in good hands now and in the future.

I realized that the family tried to make this year special for Theresa and I because of the challenges we faced over the past months and they did just that.How can you thank a family for this expression of love except by being the best that you can in the days ahead.

Christmas Morning

Every Christmas is special. This year I am doubly blessed because of my desire to be well and on my way to a new life with walking and physical capabilities. My wish was granted and my objective of walking free without cane or walker became a reality. Last eve we gathered in the sun room and played music and ate goodies and drank our favourite drinks until midnight . Seeing a full day ahead we wisely went to bed only to wake up at 7am and Begin our Xmas rituals all over.

I love Xmas and this being my 75th has special significance. Our family gathering will be robust, noisy and loving as usual but there is a certain change in the family. We are all adults so we are waiting for the new surge of energy to come from the next generation to make the picture complete.With Doris holding her 94 years in check we have four generations around the table. It is a wonderful feeling to be part of a family who share common goals and values and get excited about the simple things in life.

So MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone and remember the true meaning and do something unselfish to make the world a better place in which to live.

A View From The Past

Our little family were about to sit down for supper when our doorbell rang. I was down in the office so Doris answered the door and much to her surprise our neighbours were there with hands full of Xmas goodies and smiles a mile wide. As neighbours we have been close friends for the whole time we lived at this address.

Both my neighbour and myself have been having health issues for the past year and much time was used in a recovery mode. We have not really been able to socialize for some time and with the cold weather we were living indoors.

Today we were able to erase that void and in our hallway , in ten minutes we were able to reconnect and feel the camaraderie that we missed for some time. Xmas does that to neighbours. We have been sharing our home made wine, preserves and jams for years and I was so happy to see the tradition  remain intact that I realized we have to get our Xmas box ready in the next few days.

This sharing of friendship between neighbours is one tradition that I felt so strongly while living in the Ottawa Valley where friends dropped in without an invitation and people naturally shared their home made goodies because it was the proper thing to do. It is good that this spirit is still alive here in Oakville and it reminds me of a little view from the past.

Time Is Flying

Today being the 18th I realize that a week from now most of our Xmas festivities will be over. The last few days Theresa has taken me out shopping with my cane or walker and I could not believe the courtesy shown me while making my way to elevators or doors. I was impressed and I wondered if this showing of good will was because of the Xmas spirit or the actual good feeling in humanity. I chose to think it is the latter.

While we were in the mall everyone was  busy shopping and moving about with a agenda  clearly written on their face. Stores are very busy and the outlook is for a successful business holiday season. In spite of the crowds and hurrying about there was one place front and center that caught our eye. It was Santa who had a mile long lineup of young faces whose eyes were straining to get a glimpse of the jolly old fellow. The marvel of just how Innocent young children are can be seen a mile away. We were the same many years ago and it is marvelous that the same magic still prevails today.

My task of getting in touch with all family and friends by phone is nearly complete and what a great task I have. Phone visits are so good for me and I feel a real connection after talking to people with whom I have had little association for a time. So time is flying and I better get to work and make a few more this evening.

Dreaming Of A White Xmas

The weather outside is warm and the grass is greener than some times in the summer but I am dreaming of a white Xmas. I don't mean snow and all that but the kind of Xmas when everyone gets together and it is like old times. This year our whole family are fortunate to share our time under one roof and recharge those family connections. We are always close and get together many times during the year but from the very beginning our immediate family were so much into the closeness that for years all four of our children slept in the same bed on Xmas eve.

There is something special about the festive season and even with all the commercialism and hype for spending there remains that strong bright desire to reach for a higher meaning of Xmas. We manage to share gifts, food and drinks but there is the bond as seen when I sit back and watch the interaction among the eight grandchildren. It is as clear as crystal that they share something special being part of a larger family and the giggles and chatter fills the room with love and sacred markings which say we are family.

Theresa and I are so fortunate to have healthy children and grandchildren with whom we are able to share our lives and I often think how lonesome it would be to find yourself without family. At Xmas we should attempt to connect with friends and family and bring a little cheer into the lives of folks who may not be as fortunate as we. So when I say I am dreaming of a white Xmas I mean that I am ready to open my mind to sharing with all who surround us and to add a spark of love and comfort into their lives.

Christmas Tree

For the past number of years Theresa and I arrive home from Florida in time to set up a small tree and a few decorations to make the house look like a home ready for Christmas. This year with us being here for the whole holiday time and more we thought we should get in the spirit of things and get with the Xmas charm. We gave away our large tree some years ago knowing that we would never use it again. Well here we are needing a tree. Our daughter Glenda has a card for Costco and informed us that they had some good deals on trees.

We met her at the front door an immediately went for the two items we needed. One was the tree and the other was a new flat screen TV to help me recover while spending more time in bed. The purchasing of these items took all of ten minutes. The ladies suggested I load these items in the van and return with an empty cart for the other items they wished to buy. It seemed rather strange that the shopping cart only went in one direction, over to the sweets and treats.

We managed to get through the crowd and make our way to the checkout. We all seemed happy with our purchases and started to feel the Xmas spirit. I couldn't wait to go home and set up the tree to see how it looked. This was a record as we never ever put up the tree until a week before Xmas. As we opened the box and passed by the instructions I reminded Theresa that I had put up many trees and they were basically the same. The tree was put together but what about all these wires?? Since the tree was pre-wired for lights the spaghetti like handful of wires did have some meaning.

I quickly joined some wires with success but since there were six sections a problem arose. One light group would come on and another one went off. After a while Theresa read the instructions and before long all the lights were on and the tree looked beautiful.

Next came the TV. Would we mount it on the wall, or on the dresser top? After reading the instructions we decided on the temporary placement of the TV be on the dresser.We are now in Xmas mode and planning a great family gathering to celebrate all the blessings which unfolded this year. With the news of a wedding and other family events, we shall enjoy our holiday season even more and Christmas will be just perfect as it always is.

Early Xmas in Florida

Because we have our real Xmas back home in Canada we have a mini Xmas here. As many gifts are shared it would be impossible or ridiculous to take them home only to bring them back in a few weeks. We have a happy hour and exchange our personal gifts here. It has become a tradition and it gets us in the Christmas spirit.

We have our decorations around the house and our home made star in the lanai and with the Xmas music playing everywhere you go you become totally immersed in the spirit. My surprise gift this year came on Black Friday when the girls gave me a new ride on lawn mower. It was very appropriate and our yard and lawns reflect the care given by this mechanical wonder.

The girls were showered with clothes and of course for Doris candy for her sweet tooth.With all the fuss and attempts to make it real the missing component was family to share the excitement and happiness of the moment. We are fortunate as we have a second chance in the next few days to experience that special feeling when we will be home with family. This was just a rehearsal for the real thing.

Cold Wind From The North

The bad weather experienced in north eastern USA and Canada arrived in Florida in time for the first of December. Mother nature was telling us it was indeed winter back home and sent us the little message so we could adjust to the weather we experience when returning home for Xmas. It was a shock to wake up to temperatures in the high forties and in some areas high thirties.

Up to the last day of November we had hot weather about 6 to 10 degrees above average. On Dec.1 the workers coming for our recycling were wearing clothes we would wear when it is 20 degrees below zero. Many people here are from the Islands and any weather that is even cool puts them in a winter mode. As we keep our pool open all winter and swim every day the locals think we are strange but then they realize we are Canadians.

I find the winter weather here ideal for all outside activities and biking, fishing and gardening are all good to go . This cooler weather makes us feel like we are in a Christmas mode and all we would need is a little snow. Entering all stores and public places the Xmas music is blaring but it hard for us to feel the spirit until we have the appropriate weather.

Every time we call or Skype , the first question is how is the weather. We look forward to feeling that cool or cold air on our arrival up there. On many vacant lots here Xmas trees are being sold. Many people who are formerly from the northern climate feel better when they take home a real tree and smell the fresh fragrance of a real spruce or pine tree.

So December has welcomed us in a true northern manner so all we have to do is act like we have been given the signal to start thinking Christmas.

Christmas

It was only officially recognized as a holiday in the USA years after Thanksgiving because it was thought to be too sacred a day to celebrate it except as a church going celebration. Thanksgiving was recognized by Congress earlier but the day was December 18th. Christmas remained as a religious celebration for years until we began to commercialize it and make it what it is today. Most people still understand the significance of this day but Christmas has become a time of many types of recognition.

With the introduction of Santa, gift giving and family get togethers, it is the special day for many in the whole year. In simpler times like when I was a child we looked forward to Xmas for weeks ahead. There was great emphasis in church and school about the Christmas Story and everything and it was meant as a religious celebration. It held however, special memories of home and family. Weeks ahead Mom would bake her light and dark fruit cake and carefully wrap it in special cloth and place it in a crock until Xmas. Home made mincemeat would be bottled, ready for those special pies and tarts which again were symbols of Xmas.


Our father would disappear to his work station in the garage only to display his handwork at Xmas. Home made gifts were common and expected. We as children would write on paper what we would like Santa to bring to us and we would wait until a hot fire was burning in the kitchen stove and one after the other we would toss in our wish list and watch it go up in smoke. Somehow Santa was to get the message and fill the orders.


Rumors would circulate in our home that Santa was watching us and we had to be good. If we were not we could be missed on Xmas morning or at least have a bag of coal placed in our stocking. I had coal in my stocking every year I think. We tried to get a big sock to hang up but it did not matter as each of us got the same thing. In our home everyone received an orange, an apple, grapes wrapped in tissue paper and hard candy. The hard candy was all colours and some was called ribbon candy. The special treat was the little bag of mixed nuts, Brazil, hazel and almonds. When we picked up our socks at the same time we always acted surprised and then the lessons of sharing and breaking the nuts with only two hammers when there was a dozen of us was fun. We never had a nut cracker.


We expected and received one gift along with a few smaller items shared among family members. We all saved and bought Mom and Dad gifts. For Dad, it was pipe tobacco or a pipe and little items he liked. For Mom it was chocolates , handkerchiefs or perfume. One year I gave my Mom two tiny vases which were hand painted and from Japan. I bought them at the 5 and ten for 15 cents each. Mom kept them and when she passed away my father gave them back to me. I treasured them and passed them on to my younger sister as she wanted a memory item of Mom. I recently saw a pair of these same vases at a yard sale and was tempted to buy them but I did not.


Besides fattening up the chickens for dinner dad would get some special foods and pop to make the day special. Dad would go to the local pop maker and get several cases of mixed drinks. My favourite was iron brew but we all had our special flavours met .Our house was invaded by friends ,uncles , neighbours and excited children showing off what Santa had brought. Later we would go skating on the pond right next to our home and have fun with all the local people. Home for the Xmas feast where Mom could produce six drumsticks from two hens and we all praised everything that was served and enjoyed the bounty rarely seen except on Christmas.


For us Christmas was family, and it still is.

Heading Home

For the past 10 days we have being having uncomfortable hot days and I am happy to be heading north for a cool off.Yesterday it was 89+ and every day was in the low to high 80+. The humidity stayed high and it was downright uncomfortable.

All that will be over as we fly home to Oakville for a few days of family, friends and celebrations.We look forward to seeing real snow and wearing clothes other than shorts and a T shirt.We have been packed for some time and only the little things have to be taken care of.

Pick the ripe fruit, spray the vegetable garden with soapy water so the bugs will not feast on the tender leaves and mow the grass once more. We don't worry about a freeze up but we have to set our sprinkler system to conform to the by-laws.Take some more pictures to make the family jealous and motivate them to come down and visit.

As much as we love our Florida lifestyle there is no place like Ontario to spend the Christmas season. Our flight home is way after Doris's bedtime as we arrive home around midnight to a warm house and a tired traveller but she will come alive at 8.30 next morning ready to go.

I wonder if the driveway is shovelled? I wonder if the hot water tank is turned on and a hundred other questions flood my mind.These are the anxiety moments I get when coming back to our home. I know all will be OK but I am permitted to have thoughts and then there is the flight...I will close before I change my mind and stay put.

Arctic Xmas Trees

In the days before 1956 Xmas in the Arctic was celebrated by only a few Christians who had some form of a church. Around this time the USA and Canada began building the DEW line to protect us from Russia during the Cold War. At this time Inuit lived in extended family groups and had their own spiritual conventions. Shamans were the main holder of spiritual power and were called to help when problems arose.

After the grouping of the Inuit into hamlets to provide education and medical care christian missionaries came to teach the Inuit about our great God who would watch over them.There were about 60 thousand pure Inuit who were forced into 40 hamlets usually near a radar base.This was often done with the use of force.

At Xmas time some trees were brought in by the air for the white people living at the Radar stationed and a few were given to the churches. Many of the decorations were made by the skilled Inuit children and adults and sometimes lights were also present. This captured the imagination of the Inuit and many converted to Christianity.Roman Catholic, United Church and Anglican Churches brought most into the fold.

Regional schools were established in various locations and the children were forced to leave their hamlets to attend these institutions.This was supposed to be a good thing but turned out to be one of the blackest marks in Canadian history in the treatment of its aboriginal peoples. The children were forced to speak English only and to cut their hair and to forget their culture. Physical abuse and sexual abuse was rampant and even today the Inuit suffer from the scars of these Christian institutions. The government contracted out these responsibilities and never monitored them properly. There has been many attempts to rectify these outrages.

At these schools Xmas traditions were taught but the memories of these schools was so bad that churches in general fell in popularity. Very few Inuit continued the church tradition after this tragic experiment.

Today with artificial trees readily available Inuit are able to have a traditional Christmas with the decorations. Christmas music is popular and I attended the Inuit tree lighting at the church and it is beautiful to hear Inuit people singing Xmas carols in their own language. There is a new tradition in the Arctic which embraces the old and the new. The scars from past wrongs are fading and the impact of TV and new ministries has brought some sense of healing. The one tradition which prevailed was the Xmas tree.

One family that I knew well used to weave Arctic Willow over a tent ridge pole and placed it in the center of their room. It was adorned by children's art and on Xmas, treats were placed in handmade bags for the children. It was priceless.

Terrace Bay Ontario

Living away far from home at Xmas is not too good so we decided to drive the thousand miles through a deserted road to have Xmas with Roma's family. We were living in Dorion, a little village in Northern Ontario and at the last minute decided to go home to Magnetawan. School was out at 3 pm and I decided to leave immediately and drive right through the night.

We had our young daughter with us and she was only one year old. we packed the car and had Lynda in a bed seat in the back seat of the car. It wa not a good weather forcast and I wanted to get ahead of the storm.

We left Dorion at 4.30 pm and charged down highway 17 and headed east. After travelling for a few hours we had to nake sure we had enough gas as there were only a few stations open and they all closed at 9 pm.Something was not quite right with the car and it seemed to lose power going up the long hills north of Lake Superior.We never met a car and began to worry about the action of our Dodge Vicount. I knew the road well and stopped at a little gas station and checked the car. There was a lot of smoke or steam coming from the exhaust and the engine began to overheat. The next town was Terrace Bay and by the time we reached there our car was wasted. I stopped at a Husky garage and there happened to be a late worker finishing a job on a truck. Quickly he told us we had blown a head gasket and he could fix it in the morning.

He was kind enough to take us to the only motel and helped us get a room. It was closed but opened for us. Seeing our young daughter the lady made us comfortable and gave us the service of the small kitchen. She left and we had the motel to ourselves.

Early the next day I went to the garage and the kind man said he had to order the new gasket from Fort William and it would come on the bus. Later he said it had to come from Winnipeg so stay at the motel and he would get to work as soon as it arrived. News spread that we were stranded and help came from all sides. We were invited to lunch at the garage restaurant and no charge. The day was long but we had visitors and one family I knew from playing hockey with the dad invited us for supper.

Lake trout caught through the ice was delicious and a drive back to our room ended our day. Next morning our car was ready and we left. Before leaving I went to pay the bill and he charged only for the parts. We were so happy and thankful as we were on a short budget. "Merry Christmas" he shouted as we left the friendly town to complete our journey.

We travelled all the next day through snow covered roads and never saw a car. The road was closed at Saulte St. Marie and when we arrived there the OPP was surprised to see us. Eventually we arrived at Magnetawan to a happy and worried family. We had such a good Xmas that year and felt the spirit of Xmas through the folks who made it possible for us to be with family.

Christmas Tree and Our Cat

We as a family of only four lived on an Air force Base at Falconbridge for nearly four years. Two children made us a small family but we were just getting started as two more were soon to be added to complete our family circle. Our little story and a half house was perfect for us and we lived in a controlled environment within the gates of the station. We felt very safe and our two children took advantage of the amenities not offered in civilian life.

Those years were special and Christmas was celebrated in fine fashion. One particular year was noteworthy as we had our visitors from Magnetawan. The Smiths came and helped to make the Xmas even better. Roma's parents and their youngest daughter arrived and we had a good visit. Our Xmas tree was decorated with some of the old ornaments given to us by friends. One decoration was an angel which sat on the very top of the tree and was one which had a history. My mother in law gave us this ornament and we still have it today despite its ragged condition.

Our little cat also celebrated Xmas as Lynda and Margie played with her as she ran freely throughout the house.In the evening we turned on the tree lights and our cat immediately jumped on the tree and climbed to the very top and down came the tree.The cat ran but not before the tree toppled over to hit the fish tank and the decorations flew.

We all tried to save the tree but it happened so quickly that all we could do was clean up the mess. There was no real damage but it did add some excitement.It was one time that the animal world was truly part of our Xmas and I often think about the incident as Christmas approaches. Christmas is a time of remembering and we are able to relive those special moments from the past and savour them once again.

Santa Claus

Everyone has a favourite Xmas story from their youth and I seem to have many. Christmas was the one time of the year when everyone in our home made a special effort to behave well and become somewhat more helpful.In our home we were crowded to say the least and to have privacy, well it was a relative term. There was a particular area of our house that made eavesdropping easy. Above our kitchen stove was a register which enabled the heat to rise to the rooms above but also one could hear the conversations from people talking downstairs.

Late one night I could not sleep as I was thinking about Christmas and Santa Claus. Yes I did believe in the jolly old fellow and it gave us a way to believe and hope for miracles.I heard Mom and Dad talking in the kitchen below and I crept over and listened to their conversation. I could see them sitting by the stove with Mom having a cup of tea in her hand and Dad in his chair smoking his pipe. The smoke wafted up through the register and smelled so good. To this day it is the tobacco smoke that defines the smell of my Dad.

My mother was serious looking and they were talking about Christmas and what to get for the kids.It was about 1942 and Dad was working in the coal pit and things were tough during those days but everyone had a job. The thought that they were thinking about our gifts shocked me or at least confused me because we already asked Santa for what we wanted.

It was only two nights ago we wrote on a paper and put it in the flames of the coal stove so Santa would get it on time. Why were they worried? For the first time I started to have doubts but I did not want to as the myth was so good or to good to be true.I went back to bed and slept thinking about this mystery.

Next day I confronted m Mom and asked her if there was a Santa. She looked at me with that motherly look and said in the most convincing way that indeed there was a Santa. Why was I asking her and did someone tell me there was not a Santa? I told her I just wondered and I was truly assured and never brought it up again for several years. That year Santa did come and I got my home made sleigh and hockey stick and my faith was renewed.

Today young people lose that wonder and mystery only too quickly. Growing up and having to face reality sure was a bummer.I liked that feeling of the supernatural and never recovered completely until I became a Father and became the holder of the secrets of Christmas for my children.

Christmas Shopping

Christmas comes but once a year and that is a good thing when it comes to shopping. Theresa and I arrive at our list of people for whom we wish to buy Xmas gifts. We keep a book or rather Theresa keeps a book with a list of all the gifts we gave and to whom over the past years.

We discuss the appropriate gifts for this year with the info we had in the book and away we or mostly Theresa goes. She has to be sure of the exact size and colour for each and with twenty in the same room at Christmas morning we better be right.

Here there is a large selection of stores and with the economy down there are sales in every store. The adds come with the newspaper and you could not believe the paper used for shopping promotions. Last Thursday the weight of the ads was nearly ten pounds and this is repeated nearly every day from now to Christmas. It is a good thing we have a active recycling program.

I play golf every Tuesday and Theresa goes shopping and has nearly every gift ready for wrapping. I look at the pile of gifts and I wonder how we will get them in our travelling cases and through customs. Flying today does not leave anything over the weight limit to travel without a penalty. That is my worry.

We realize that the real joy is in the giving and we have a certain happiness in the whole Xmas spirit as we look over our purchases before wrapping and again when the gifts are opened. Theresa tries to make every gift special and wraps them with the same care.

We realize that gifts are not the real meaning of Christmas but an expression of sharing with those we love.With so many this year experiencing difficult times we try to make contributions to worthy causes to help bring joy to the needy. As our Christmas shopping comes to an end I am thankful that I have a partner who loves to shop and I can help here and there with good ideas for gifts for the hard to serve. Next year I wish to take a more active role in the joy of Christmas shopping.