It's not yet dawn, and here I sit cuddled on the couch with my trusted cat on my lap and my loyal dog on the floor beside me. In the quiet darkness, the lights glow on the christmas tree and in the Dickens village. Celine Dion is belting out 'Oh Holy Night' at a low volume level in the background. The kids are not yet up. Gone are the days of them getting up at the crack of dawn to see what Santa brought. It's peaceful, as life should be. This is my most ever favorite day of the year. It's the day that the whole town sleeps. No stores are open, and everything is quiet, and peaceful. People make an effort to be with family and friends, and tighten bonds.
Our christmas is full of traditions, and it starts with decorating the house the first week in December. The kids all come over, along with their friend Larry, and this year, another friend who is by herself, joined us as well. After putting up the tree and decorating the house, we made crafts; snowmen made out of tongue depressors. Well, some of them couldn't really be called snowmen. One of them was an Irish man made with a green hat and white pom pom. One was wearing a bikini and flippers, and more than one was made in the image of family members.
Our christmas tree isn't one of those color coordinated ones with fancy balls and shiny tinsel. In fact it's hard to spot a commercially made ornament on the tree. Everything is hand made...by myself or the kids over the years. We don't call it a christmas tree anymore. It's our memory tree. When we set it up each year, the memories of my children's childhood, and recent years passed all come flooding back. We have memories from the angel with the broken wing made from a tiny ceramic pot, and the "poo" Santa ornament that my son painted completely brown when he was about 4 years old. Somehow we ended up with a $500 monopoly bill that gets tucked behind the angels hymnbook every year the tree is up. (My son in law's weird sense of humor) The is angel made from a toilet roll, nylon stocking and wool, but stands at the top of our tree proudly every year. I suggest every year about getting new decorations for the tree, but the kids protest at the very thought of it. So although it certainly wouldn't win any awards for being a beautiful tree, it has it's value. It holds many memories. Memories of days past, of love, of laughter, of traditions, and of family.
This is what my oldest daughter is trying to start with her family. The tongue depressor snow men are the start of her own memory tree. The laughter and nostalgia that getting together to make them brings, will be talked about every year that they are pulled from the storage box.
We had just as many laughs doing our christmas baking. I am grateful for an 18 year old son who would rather bake cookies and squares with his sister and his mom, than hang out on the computer. Shaping and icing sugar cookies gives lots of opportunity for creativity beyond the usual christmas stars and trees. LOL!!
Last night we followed tradition of having our christmas dinner on christmas eve. This leaves lots of time on christmas day for laying around in our jammies and relaxing together instead of being tied up in the kitchen. Last night there were three of my kids, my son in law, our friend Larry, myself, and my friend Tim. We filled our bellies, then played cards till late. We had an added surprise to the night when my boosum friend Brenda and her boyfriend Dennis stopped by. Never a dull moment, and nonstop laughter. These are the times we like best!
I have two presents this year. My family is not in an abundance of wealth, but who cares? We are abundantly filled with the spirit of christmas. We already have everything that is most important to us. No gift could ever match up to the value of my family in my life. The only one thing that I wish I had gotten this year was to have my youngest daughter and her family here with us. I feel bad that she is missing out on our family fun times together. We did however, get to spread our christmas cheer together and express our love over the phone.
Family gatherings, friendships, traditions, laughter, memories, old and new, strong bonds. These are where my thoughts are this christmas. In these areas of my life I am richly blessed. Nothing else is more important to me, nothing else fulfills my life more.
Merry Christmas to everyone, and may your holidays be filled with fun times and laughter as well, and all the things you enjoy!
Sifu Stoddart
- Sifu Stoddart
- My kids and the strong bond we share, are the most important things to me. Over the years I've done many things. I attained my certification for a fitness instructor and taught in many areas such as kickboxing, circuit training, pilates, African dance, hatha and ashtanga yoga. I have received my certification for a Special Needs Educational assistant. This allowed me to work with a group of wonderful kids in a Positive Development Program at an inner city school in Edmonton. Today, I am an area supervisor for a retail home renovation store. I achieved my certification as a belayer in top rope rock climbing, and also as a lead climber. I attained my black belt in 2004. There is an excitement and feeling of self sustaining when I grow a garden, collect wild berries, then can a whole winters supply of juices, jams, sauces, syrups, fruits, ketchups, and salsas. I am very passionate about the outdoors, and my big dream of all times is to one day live out in the mountains with nothing but the wilderness at my doorstep. I would hike, fish, x country ski, snow shoe, kayak, mountain bike, rock climb, practice kung fu on top of a mountain, and grow a huge garden in the summer.
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