Dear WordPress friends, I apologize for my posting absence and since it is a week to Christmas Eve, I wanted to share my thoughts of Christmas before it arrives.
Firstly thank you sincerely for reading my posts this year. The time taken to read and comment is a gift to me which I truly appreciate.
I know it is almost Christmas now for sure as I went to bed with wet hair and woke up looking like a citizen of Whoville today. My hair pointed up like a tall soft ice cream cone.
And what happened then?
Well, in Whoville they say
that the Grinch’s small
heart grew three sizes that day!
– Dr Seuss
This is the season of gift giving absolutely, and you, my wordpress friends, truly are gift givers as demonstrated recently with the many sincere wishes sent to my friend Bob. He was in the hospital for months and you reached out to him and now he is home, still recuperating but doing so at home which is immensely nicer. Such wonderful priceless gifts you gave.
My thoughts turned this morning to memories of Christmases as a youngster in East Vancouver. My parents and my brother and I had a tradition each year. We would bundle up for the cold evening and my Dad would have some certain homes picked for us to visit unexpectedly (or was it surprise attack?)
Unexpected, in the dark, and usually breathing steam we would have big smiles on our faces as we approached homes and pushed their doorbells.
The next sequence of events was always fun.
The outdoor light would come on, and a puzzled face would appear.
When we burst into song “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” – the face at the door changed from puzzled to joyful. The occupant invariably would call others to the door, and for a few minutes they tolerated our off key renditions of Christmas favorites.
Our nosies may have been cold but my heart always felt warm in these moments.
After a few songs, and the exchanges of “Merry Christmases” – we would move on feeling quite chuffed about the whole experience and looking forward to the next home and surprise attack with our tonsils.
There was nothing angelic about our tunes but the smiles and warmth were genuine absolutely and the warmth inside had fewer calories than the cocoa we had when we got home.
Now looking back I can see these were gifts of “presence” and the message I learned as a youngster about the season.
Perhaps “Christmas indeed did not come from a store, perhaps it meant something a little bit more”.
Now in present time, our tree at home is decorated and the multi-coloured lights and seasonal decorations look cheerful. The stockings are along the fireplace and these stockings mean a great deal to me because they bring out memories of Christmases past.
Christmas is gift giving of all types. The sharing of goodwill to strangers, of appreciation to friends, to family and to the many others in our orbits that make our lives better.
I love how at this time of year people’s gift giving goes outward. Unexpected gifts being perhaps the most meaningful gifts of all.
In cities, towns, apartment buildings and condo’s all over – people are sharing unexpected gifts of all types. Some might open the door and find a frosty nosed Christmas caroler, or they might find an envelope or package of food that brightens their day and renews their hope in who-manity.
Unexpected gifts, these are the gifts that truly make the Christmas season special for the giver as well as the receiver.
- Merry Christmas hugs to you! – David♥
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Final thought:
The weather here in the Okanagan has not been that frightful at all. Minus temperatures but in the low double digits only.
Last Sunday the weather relented and it was warm-ish night as we climbed the steps of the Kettle Valley Steam train in Summerland. It was our first family outing in the winter on the Christmas train, the whistle blew and steam abounded.
The conductor called “All aboard” – the whistle blew long and loud.
Inside the cars we were cozy and the cars were decorated with Christmas lights, and we looked out on the white hills and homes of Prairie Valley in Summerland and the train trundled along. The Christmas lights looked beautiful. The hot cocoa disappeared quickly. ♥ Santa brought candy canes and smiles.
Life and Random Thinking 
David, you have the true spirit of Christmas in your heart! You remind me of tiny Tim, who even with a physical problem stills finds the true meaning.
Wishing you great health my friend!
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Thanks Wayne, I appreciate you also my friend. I am glad to know you. – David
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Nice … hope y’all have a safe and Merry Christmas
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Thanks Bob – healthy and safe Christmas for everyone!
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What a lovely memory! I remember doing that as a child but not with my parents with a group. I haven’t thought about that in years. Thank you for having me remember. Merry Christmas David! All the best, Pamela.
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Dear Pamela, it makes me smile to remember those times. I think we were all singing different keys but it didn’t seem to matter. hugs – David
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I love this, David! The stories of caroling and making memories were just delightful. And your way of weaving the Grinch and Whoville in was so fun. Mostly, as I can be a bit of a grinch myself (internally, I hope), I loved being reminded of the outward giving piece of Xmas. Oh – and the train? How fun!! Hope you’re staying well and you and your family have a wonderful holiday!
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The train was so much fun, the conductor in uniform, the people waving as we left the station. The light sprinkle of snow as we chugged into the darkness. A nice time. Thanks for your well wishes- Hugs, David
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I loved your personal story of Christmas traditions and joy. Merry Christmas, David, to you and your family. May you be blessed with peace and love during this special season.
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Thanks Linda, I am blessed truly. I was just holding my little grandson, 3 months old and a twinkle in his eyes. Merry Christmas ♥
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You are blessed!
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What a lovely message. Thank you so much for sharing. I loved the tradition your family had. Wishing you and your family and friends a very Happy Christmas and a super New Year!!
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Thank you Darlene, you are a constant friend, and I appreciate it. hugs, David
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What a lovely post, David, filled with the true meaning of Christmas. Merry Christmas to you and yours. 💕🎄
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I love reading your comments and hearing from you. I am looking out my office and snowflakes are wafting down, and wishing you a wonderful Christmas for you and those you love. – hugs, David
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I am very happy your friend is improving. Merry Charistmas! 👼🎅🦌🌟🎄
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Thank you Cindy, I think it is so cool that so many kind people like yourself have reached out to Bob. – Merry Christmas, hugs – David
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Hi there Dave and Fmaily. It was really nice to read your memories of Christmas past and also see the photos of what it looks like there in Su merland right now. So glad the weather isn’t frightful!! Have a wonderful Christmas!!
I especially enjoyed seeing the photo of the train engine as it brought memories of mine living in a train Station back when the trains were all steam!! 🎄💝
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My Dad also worked on the trains and it through his billet that he met my Mom. He ran a station and operated a telegraph in those days. They were probably not steam engines but his stories are priceless. – Bless you- David
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Season’s greetings to all. And just to clarify you reply about your Dad and trains, he started working when all the sidelines were steam, only the main routes were diesel. He saw lots of steamers, as did your Grandfather.
If there is ever a time for having good memories of times gone by, it is now.
MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours David.
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Thanks Uncle Ken, ♥ that you added this information. Merry Christmas to you and big hugs! – 🙂 David
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What a lovely Christmas memory, Dave. We are about to face much colder winter weather, so I’m glad I’ve got my Christmas shopping done! Wishing you and your family a lovely Christmas!
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Hugs Debra, thank you for your kind comment. Those are fun memories. I remember looking into my Dad’s eyes and they were laughing at our attempts to be harmonious. Us boys just didn’t have the voices our Mom did or the range! ha ha Still a good time was enjoyed by all and we didn’t torture people for too long at any one house. Merry Christmas! – David
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Merry Christmas!!
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Merry Christmas LA – thank you for all your blog posts this year!
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Thank you!
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David, Thank you for sharing your personal story as a child and the story of the Christmas train. Your gift, David, is to share and draw us into moments that reveal the true value of life…”Presence” such as your “presence” in this gift we call life. Thank you for the gift of your friendship. Merry Christmas to you and your family! May your hearts and homes be filled with blessings and JOY! Ivy Claire
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Dear Ivy, thank you for your kind words as I know they are genuine. Blessings to you. I had a nice afternoon today as we attended a small downtown church to take part in a christmas carol service. – David (hugs)
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Happiest holidays 🎉
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Thank you Solitaire!
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Heart warming Christmas message, thank you David.
The gifts of Christmas are the people we cherish and the memories we treasure, shared memories and kind wishes keep us all connected in all the ways that matter most.
Warm blessings,
Deborah
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Being connected at Christmas to the ones we cherish – that’s a wonderful message. – David
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Hi David,
For some reason I thought I had already commented here, but who knows what I did.
Anyways, this was a lovely read. I am glad that Bob is home and on the road to recovery.
What wonderful Christmas memories your parents created for you. I cannot thing of any better gift to a child.
That train ride looks like something I would love to do. I love all the pictures.
Thank you for the friendship and visits to my blog. Your love of life is truly inspiring.
Wishing you and your loved ones many blessings of health, joy and peace!
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Blessings to you for the warm and genuine wishes and I wish you the same. It’s minus 20 C here now and icy streets. The lakes look really neat with steam rising and ice volcanoes that are created along the shore from the wave action. Today is winter solstice- Yay! hugs and thank you for being a friend. – David
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Glad the weather isn’t too bad there, I heard some parts of Canada were really cold this winter. Hope you have a very merry Christmas.
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Thanks Pooja. I appreciate you following my blog and checking in. It warmed up today so it could snow! I am looking out the window and it is just getting a little more intense now. The other day it was really crisp cold and it was snowing and when it is like that you can briefly look at the snowflake patterns on your mitts before they melt. My wife took a really nice picture of one. Happy New Year – thanks for being you! – David
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That’s so lovely, makes me miss winter haha. Thanks and happy New Year to you as well!
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