From the Shores of the Ottawa River

This year  I am embrace  the spirit of giving and receiving gifts by being more mindful and thoughtful. I am  approaching the season in the spirit of giving rather than as an obligation or expecting gifts in return.

Roger a couple of weeks before he journeyed to our Dene bush home in the Spirit world. He was happy.

 However, it is a sad time for our family because our brother Roger unexpectedly, passed away on December 7, 2023.

When we have this type of loss, it can be difficult to get into the Christmas spirit.  It is natural to be sad because  they are no longer here with us and we wish they were.  This can leave a void within us; we as we question the meaning of life.   It is like that for me now.  

However, I turn to my most precious childhood memory of Christmas in Fort Chipewyan, to ease the pain. When my siblings returned  home for the holidays from the city.

Our house although quite small could always accommodate another person. We would share stories,   and jokes ,  there was excitement  to being together at Christmas.    It is about spending time with family and how they make us feel loved. We are still grieving the loss of our brother Roger, I know he loved me, and I can feel comfort in the fact that I’ve never disrespected him. 

I recall a special gift one year from, him, it was a Jungle Book  musical album. I was thrilled that he remembered I liked the movie, and it was a  good surprise and a thoughtful gift.

Listening to 630 CHED on a small transistor radio, the countdown of the top hits of the year was a tradition in our home and listening to Christmas tunes.  

My sisters would decorate the house, with Christmas ornaments garland and tinsel.  There was lots of  teasing, and  happiness burst through the house. Christmas at home included many family members around and the chaos that ensues with   a lot of people being in close quarters. But I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.

Christmas to me is about being with family, enjoying visitors, and, well the food.

 Freshly baked goods.   And turkey dinner. Nothing was more important than the Christmas dinner with all its trimmings, thanks in large part to our big sister Dora, who worked as a cook at the Holy Angels Mission.

She was able to use the mission kitchen to cook Christmas dinner for our family.   

We had a feast after  midnight mass. And after that we would open our gifts.  Some years our mom baked a special Christmas pudding cake, Dene Style. Lol  I’m still searching for the recipe. 

Walking to church for midnight mass was always breathtaking, the reflection of the moonlight on the snow made it  sparkle like tiny diamonds, and as we stepped the crunch was like  a magical sound.  We were happy.  I treasure these memories in Doghead more than anything. And I enjoyed the friendship of family and friends that the season brought. .

My childhood Christmas memories in Doghead are magical and precious, it feels like wearing a warm sweater on a cold night, cosy and safe.

However,  sometimes it is those memories which we measure our current situation. If it does not measure up,  leads to sadness and disenchantment during the holidays. When I first got married, Christmas was quite, and I felt nostalgic for a Dog Head Christmas.

Now more than anytime of the year, if you see a homeless person on your way to shop for gifts, don’t ignore them.  Ask them  for their name and offer them coffee or spare change with love and kindness.  And when you wish them, Merry Christmas, mention their name. And don’t worry that they may spend it on booze, give from your heart without boundaries.   

To have a stress free Christmas, begin by seeing things through the eyes of wonder and happiness as though you are seeing it for the very first time, like a child.  

Tap into the feeling you had as a child. See the  beautiful colors of the season, the lights, and see them with the feeling of enjoy, and magic. Look up, look down, and all around you, we so rarely really see what is in our environment. This day, right now, is unique. This day will never happen again.

However, I am very cognizant of how this season also places unbearable pressure on people who are estranged from family and for those people who wish they had more .  Christmas season for them can be very challenging, indeed.   because they are under enormous societal pressure to make it perfect.
 

Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could pass on that generosity and sense of celebration, we feel to those who are less fortunate?  I don’t mean only donating to charity but helping someone you know personally who needs it.  Pay them a visit, buy them coffee, give a hug, but most of all let them know that their life is worth it.  It is the small gestures that could make a difference to someone. Embrace the spirit of Christmas and pass it on…   

Better still, call someone on the phone, or text,  and have a conversation about how much you appreciate them. If you don’t have anyone to call, call me. We all have an incredible story to tell and listen to others story . Open your heart and smile because you embody the Christmas Spirit.  XOXOXOXOXO

I am grateful to for

1.  Good health.
2. A caring loving family
3. A safe home free of drugs and drama it brings.
4. friends who year round surprise me with acts of kindness and love. And to those family members with whom I will not be with this Christmas, I am thinking of you with a special gratitude in my heart, for   random texts and calls.