Christmas Away.

Christmas.

It means a lot to me.

Not the religious aspect, for I no longer consider myself christian, but the rounds of getting together with friends and family. Really that is the heart of the holiday for me. Gift giving is nice, gift receiving is nice, but now I would rather have a heartfelt hug and a great conversation about what is happening in life with those around me.

When I decided to travel away from Canada during the winter, I knew I would be missing it a lot, but I still have and cherish the memories I do have of those times shared with friends and family.

The older I get the more the memories of gifts and what I did or did not get fade away and the memories fondly remembered are the laughs giggles, occasional tear. And sometimes laughing until there were tears.

Playing in the snow.

Fogged up glasses, warm greetings and great meals served by wondrous cooks in happy homes.

The smell of a fresh cut pine tree.

Helping mom cook the Boxingday Chinese Smorg.

And very special to me was the fact that after mom and dad retired and moved out to the farm, dad got horses, trained them for harness and gave countless people, young old and in between hay rides and sleigh rides.

The sound of the brass bells ringing in key ( honest, he searched through many a bin for the right bells ) the crisp air sucked deep into lungs, the feel of everyone packed onto the hay wagon or that one other person beside you on the sleigh.

Snow was not always deep, but on those years that it was, a lot of playful pushing overboard happened in getting people off the hay wagon and into the deep snow. Usually helped along by dad with a slap of the reins or a fast turn.

Of all the songs and carols at Christmas that echo through at this time of year, the one that is the most evocative for me is the simple song about dashing through the snow in a one horse open sleigh, because that is the heart of those times at the farm, mom helping us root through the closet for warm clothes while dad harnessed the horses. That special scent of leather and horse, mixed with cold fresh air. Wind in your face and harness bells and squeaking snow.

Everyone glowed when coming in from the cold, and as often as not mom would have hot chocolate and hot dogs for all. We always said thank you to mom and dad. And I know the words were never enough for the warmth of the feelings they brought forth, but then they did not do it for the words. They did it for the sound of our laughter, the smiles on our faces and the strength of the bonds formed during those times.

To all of those I shared those rides with, Merry Christmas.

And to all those I wish had been there, I hope that in reading this in some small way, you have been dragged along for a ride with me.

To each and every one of you reading this, Merry Christmas.