🎄𞀝 So 70 Christmasses so far! And today, as the sun beams into my livingroom, I can’t help waxing sentimental…”senti”, not just mental, over Christmas past.
Back in the day, lets say early yp’s, I have a vivid memory of Christmas in Osler. In our small house, laying on the floor peeking under the bedroom door, watching mom and dad playing with our gifts. Entranced by the wind up airplane, a DC 10? A walking doll..do they still make them? My easy bake oven! Proudly presenting my dad with a weird chocolate cake baked under a light bulb! Yes back in the day, ome big gift, a few little ones (do you remember Life Saver books? With the Good flavours? Rootbeer, wintergreen?). One year a 6 man wooden sleigh! All of us would fit on this thrill of a lifetime ride down a hill!
Then onto the day at my grandparents: fiddle music, oranges and ribbon candy. The boys always got combs and harmonicas and we girls got comb, mirror and brush sets. Which I never remember using. Then a glorious dinner with all the family, 10 around the table..wonderful desserts, then sit and watch Hymn Sing. Or read a nee Golden book. Yup, a simple happy time.
Eventually the cousins would arrive, always in matching dresses and fancy hair. They were “city cousins” so they had fancy gifts! Little broaches with real mink fur, siamese cat ornaments.
Now jump to the 80’s, in my own home, first marraige, we were bikers! Fools if you ask me now. But oh what fun…having friends over in our tiny house, with a 1947 Harley Knucklehead motorcycle sitting in the living room as it was being rebuilt. I can’t imagine putting up with that today, and womder how the heck we wrestled that big bike up the steps in in the door? Lolcrazy times, empty beer cans decorated our tree, too much partying my friends, too much.
Then onto the west coast - fabulous walks thru the big Eatons, Sears and the ultimate The Bay! Yes huge window displays, lights, Salvation Army bands, Santa and his kettle…seems like a 100 years ago. And at the time, my own personal Santa husband who had no brakes when it came to shopping. Did I mention The Bay? He not only shopped like Clause, he was the spitting image of Santa! Oh what fun!
So many Santa visits to small communities, Christmas concerts, he was a huge hit! The beard, the twinkle in his eyes, the impressive Santa suit (no padding required) it was a fabulous time. I remember acting as his “handler” listening and secreting out kids names, then whispered in his ear ,,,”thats Tommy, he isn’t sure he believes in you this year” I’ll never forget the reaction ” Tommy? He’d boom out, “I hardly recognized you, you’ve grown!” And this kid would get huge eyes, suspiciously approach but beam when he was recognized by The Big Man in Red.
Then decorating our house, wreathes, garlands, lights, at least three trees all decked out. And bring in the friends and neighbour's, fireplace crackling, carols playing - we had so much fun! And Christmas parties? Santa and I both loved to cook, bake, and bring out the cheer! Did you know Christmas was our 2nd last urkey of the season? There was Thanksgiving Turkey, then a Practise or American Thanksgiving turkey, then Christmas turkey and early January his Birthday turkey! I always ended up with gallons of turkey broth and gravy in the freezer. Yup, in fact when we lived in Dawson Creek we had 7 trees. A huge Christmas gathering, gluewien, more cookies than I can shake a stick at, a fabulous time!
We ended up on Vancouver Island, and toned down the celebrations a bit. Then in early spring 2023 Santa was gone. I decorated the apartment, played some movies and carols, tried a stuffed frozen turkey roll, and even with friends around me, it was basically me and the cat. Kind of sad, very lonely.
But today? I’m back in the prairies! Thanks to friends old and new, my Christmas is very merry indeed! A new Santa in my life - no red suit, no beard, but a generous caring heart. I do cook occasionally, he never fails to say “thank you, that was delicious” except perhaps after I introduced him to tuna casserole one time. Last night he again took me to look at Christmas lights, walk thru a magical display, and confidentially, I seem to have landed another die hard Santa! I am blessed. Again this year I get to enjoy being part of his ever growing family, the traditional Spaghetti dinner and gift opening with them all on the 24th, then turkey and ham (and this year I’ll bring cranberry sauce) more gifts and the whole family at his son and daughter-in-law’s beautiful home. I think she’s got 4 trees? Could be a brown Christmas, not much snow here, but who cares? My wee apartment is all decked out, a tree, lights, and 31 little Santas. Lol
Then onto Boxing Day with Sandy which has been going on since the 70’s. Food, laughter, friends, some Post Christmas cheer! I’m so glad to live here. I feel so blessed. I miss my family yes, i miss my cats, and sometimes get a bit verklempt looking at the Santa figurines and pictures of Christmas past. And then count the many blessings I enjoy, and look forward to another year of love, family, new family, friends old and new. Tho at 70 I seem to have more old than new 😉
Here’s to another Christmas, another year of joy, of health and blessings. Love and blessings to you all 🎄🤶
