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Christmas Leftovers

Posted January 2nd, 2009 by Gaye Sharpe

    I'm still in the last blush of Christmas. The tree is in a half dressed state, the poppy cock all consumed and thankfully, the turkey's end is reached. There are still a few slices of my mom's fruit cake left. Primarily though it`s the memories I`m still digesting:

    1. Attempting to attend a Christmas pageant to experience a few bath-robed children singing Away in a Manger but stymied by an unusual snow fall that ground Victoria to a halt.
    2. The gift of conversations with neighbours as we abandoned our cars and walked to the grocery store.
    3. A young child invited to the front of the sanctuary to choose a gift of a Christmas bear from over thirty options. After refusing the pick of the litter, he approaches the tiniest bear, cradles it in his arms and walks towards his parents.
    4. Christmas cards lining the window sills - many filled with a year`s news from old friends and family.
    5. The voice of my three-year-old grandson on the phone early Christmas morning, "Santa really came Grandma and I got just what I wanted. Roller skates!"
    6. Making bird feeders with the Sunday school class appreciating the willingness of the youth to lend advice and nimble fingers to the younger ones.
    7. Watching the advent calendar gradually tell the story of the child's birth.
    8. The filling of the sanctuary with candle light as Silent Night is sung by those who need no hymn books, by heart.
    9. The first words my two-year-old grandson would say each morning as he woke, "Christmas tree on."
    10. Our son`s delight in initiating his partner into all our family Christmas traditions.
    11. The giving of food, shelter, warm clothes, money and time to churches, homeless shelters, hospitals and charities of all kinds.
    12. The gift from our oldest daughter of an ultrasound picture, announcing the birth of another grandchild in June.

    Memories feed the spirit and provide nourishment for hope.

    It is my hope that your Christmas was filled with memories that nourish and that 2009 will be a year filled with opportunity, challenge and grace.