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Last night's story, "Hear the snow Crunch" is still hard for me to read without deep feelings of nostalgia and loss bubbling up. Dad has been gone now for 34 years but the longing to hear his voice and see his smile is still so profound. The "Dad-isms" in the story bring a smile though ... "Going to see a man about a dog" and of course, "Support the local guy" are just two of many. Little Karen in the story learns the importance of supporting local businesses or entrepreneurs at a young age which is something I have never forgotten. Each year, my Dad did make the trek to a local hardware store called "Mayfair Hardware" in Saskatoon to buy our tree. As is the norm in cold, frozen climates, the trees were indeed frozen lumps that made it hard to envision the end product. Somehow though, Dad was always able to pick a perfect tree!
Those trips with him are still some of my most cherished memories of him and Christmas. In the last few years of his life we also had another tradition wherein he and I would go together to pick out Mom's gift ... we bought a cuckoo clock, an entrance mirror and even a coffee table together, which are all still in my Mom's home.
When Mom moved into her condo though I asked and was given the Deacon's bench and the Grandma Moses print, "Out for the Christmas Tree", which now sits in my entrance way, which used to sit in Mom and Dad's kitchen on Louise Avenue. Every time I look at this print, I am still enthralled! It makes one long to be able to jump into the wintery scene of fun!
I read a poem that a friend posted on Facebook today called "My First Christmas in Heaven" and the first stanza resonated:
"I see the countless Christmas trees
Around the world below,
With tiny lights, like heaven's stars,
Reflecting on the snow."
Beautiful thought that Dad is looking down on our Christmas trees! I hope that might bring you some comfort too if you are missing loved ones this Christmas.
Have a blessed day!
Shine on!
-K
Those trips with him are still some of my most cherished memories of him and Christmas. In the last few years of his life we also had another tradition wherein he and I would go together to pick out Mom's gift ... we bought a cuckoo clock, an entrance mirror and even a coffee table together, which are all still in my Mom's home.
When Mom moved into her condo though I asked and was given the Deacon's bench and the Grandma Moses print, "Out for the Christmas Tree", which now sits in my entrance way, which used to sit in Mom and Dad's kitchen on Louise Avenue. Every time I look at this print, I am still enthralled! It makes one long to be able to jump into the wintery scene of fun!
I read a poem that a friend posted on Facebook today called "My First Christmas in Heaven" and the first stanza resonated:
"I see the countless Christmas trees
Around the world below,
With tiny lights, like heaven's stars,
Reflecting on the snow."
Beautiful thought that Dad is looking down on our Christmas trees! I hope that might bring you some comfort too if you are missing loved ones this Christmas.
Have a blessed day!
Shine on!
-K