It was a time for family – those who were here, those who
were in Calgary, BC, and Australia or up north, and those whose light lives on
only in our memories. Savoury succulent turkey and ham, mounds of potatoes both
mashed and sweet, shared delicacies like cabbage rolls, butternut squash,
colourful salad and spaghetti squash, drizzled in gravy and topped with
homemade cranberry sauce. Yet still there was somehow room to also enjoy
pumpkin or apple or sweet potato pie, apple crisp, with fluffy whipped cream
and creamy vanilla ice cream. A table full of bounty, prepared with care and
shared with love and laughter.
It was a time for joy – to share news, to catch up and just
to talk. It was also a time to share my own good news – that of a short story
published this month in Chicken Soup for the Soul: It’s Christmas! It was also
amazing to walk into the bookstore and see the book on the shelves there, and
know that my story lay tucked in its pages. It was a time for anticipation – our annual holiday to Hawaii is coming up very quickly. Looking forward to almost three weeks away to rest, relax and rejuvenate.
As I pack my suitcase with summer clothes, I realize my heart is already packed full with everything I need to make my life complete – a loving family, wonderful friends, delicious food, a great job and beautiful home. Our community is safe, our family is healthy and we all have dreams and aspirations to look forward to.
My cup overfloweth…