MORE days in December...

On the eighth day of Christmas... I followed an annual tradition and traveled further north in our beautiful province, to help dear old friends of mine set up their treee.  Not only had they done most of the work themselves, before I got there, but my dear friend served up a DELICIOUS turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Around the table were three other guests; an international student, along with two   neighbours. What a wonderful evening we had, enjoying the food, ambiance, and good cheer, followed by a few rollicking games of cards. ISN'T this what Christmas is all about? 

On the ninth day of Christmas, while walking Vimy, I observed a father outside with his young daughter, in their back yard. What were they doing? She, who is no more ten years old (I know because I have taught her!) was helping her father make an outdoor rink... the daughter, NOT their son. How awesome is that?

On the tenth day of Christmas, I attended a Christmas party put on by an organization for whom I am a volunteer.  My seatmate was a VERY lively eighty-three widower, who was a TOTAL flirt. I gave up trying to avoid his flirtatious ways, when I realized HE would be a great companion for my MOTHER! I showed him her picture.  I didn't get his phone number yet but I am in cahoots with someone else, and we are hoping to arrange some kind of discreet meet-up in the New Year. Don't tell my mom!

On the eleventh day of Christmas, I was out walking Vimy on a late, freezing cold night.  I saw a man coming around the corner towards me.  The snow banks prevented me from seeing him fully until he rounded that corner.   He was wearing SHORTS!   As we crossed paths, we both started to address each other, but then we BOTH spontaneously burst into laughter and kept chuckling as we walked in opposite directions.  

The twelfth day of Christmas saw my almost 86 year old mother bake up a storm, box up two or three different sorts of cookies, go to the post office and mail off a Christmas care package to her oldest grandchild in Alberta, MY thirty-seven year old son.  Now that is love! What did his mother (me!) do?  I sent him a dual themed Christmas box - cannibis and novelty sex things.  Hey, he's only been married a little over a year, and cannibis is legal now. Plus, he didn't need any homemade Christmas baking. Grandmaman took care of that very nicely!

The thirteenth day of Christmas saw my family getting together for a Games Night.  There was lots of fun and laughter, even if they didn't know the rules of the Black Magic game.  Do you? It's not called the Black and White game!!

The fourteenth day of Christmas saw me reflecting on ALL of the above. I have run out of time. Christmas is just around the corner.  What have I noticed about this most wonderful celebration of the year?

I have noticed how lonely people are, especially at this time of year. Loneliness is one of THE biggest social issues facing our society today. Loneliness is an epidemic. While not limited to any particular age group, loneliness is deeply felt among our seniors.  My one wish for this new decade, (which we will soon be entering) is that we all try to reach out to others MORE.  Not through technology, but in person.  Talk to someone, engage with someone, listen to someone, hug someone, and above all, care about your fellow human beings. It won't cost you anything at ALL ... except a little bit of your time. It will warm your heart and you will never know what a difference you may have made in that person's life, THAT day.   

To all my readers, may this new decade bestow upon you all of life's blessings... love, laughter, good health, hugs, kisses, family, friends and a good night's sleep! Joyeux Noël et Bonne et Heureuse Année.

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