The Craftiest Workshop

Many from of my side of the family will gather together today to celebrate Christmas with my parents in Kamsack SK. We decided to stay in Grande Prairie until Christmas Day as I have a handbell commitment on Christmas Eve. I think that of all the years we’ve been married, we have only spent two Christmases in Kamsack. I resigned myself years ago that that was not the time of year we would be with family so I found other ways to make me feel closer to them during the holidays.

For the last few years I have been doing a Christmas music survey sent to me by UCB Canada. I listen to a few hundred Christmas songs and rate them based on a short clip. I have made Spotify playlists the last few years with songs that were new to me. This year, there were quite a few I liked but many were simply remakes of traditional songs or hymns. One song stood out for me. I was playing back my playlist one day and without knowing why, as this song was playing, tears began falling down my cheeks.

The first line takes me back to going to my grandparent’s house to help decorate at Christmas. They kept the decorations on their second floor which was closed off from the main floor. Neither of them could do stairs well anymore. I always felt wonderful seeing my grandma’s happy face when the tree was all decorated.

I have a little piece of most of the places we’ve lived in amongst my Christmas decor.
There are also ornaments or decorations given to us by friends and family.

We have a blanket on our couch that my Mémère made for me. It is solid Christmas red on one side and a rag quilt on the other.

On the two chairs by the window we have a quilted throw from my sister Lisa and a wall hanging that my mom made.

We have five angels made by my mom. They were done using hankerchiefs and flour bag tea towels that my grandparents owned.

This angel was gifted to me by godparents, my Matante Germaine and Uncle Blair.

I have three of these gnomes given to us by friends in Ottawa 25 years ago. They are supposed to be in the kid’s decorations but you know me and how much I love gnomes.

There is this felt stuffed Merry Christmas made by a friend’s mother from when we lived in Ottawa the first time.

This ceramic Santa was made by the mom of a friend when we lived in Barrie.
Her mom passed away shortly after.

This wooden nativity scene was given to me by my friend Jana and was her made by her niece.

We have many ornaments given to us by friends, neighbours, co-workers and family members.

Here are a few.

Two Christmas tree skirts; one made by my mom and one made by Chris’s mom. I put up two trees this year so I got to use both. Usually, with one tree, we alternate.

There is the print of Mary and baby Jesus that my brother Russell painted hanging in our entrance way.

On of this year’s additions is this painting Chris made for me using spray paint.
He also made one for both sets of parents; each one slightly different.

Our kids have ornaments from us and others to remind them of the places they lived and people they have known. We, too, have our own special pieces and ornaments to bring back memories.

We have rarely been with family for Christmas and, depending on where we were living, we would spend Christmas with different friends who were like family to us.
All these items around us at Christmas time brings us closer to those loved ones that have passed on or are far away.
“When I think of them, I know I have enough.”