As Long As We Have We

The beloved refrain from Dr. Seuss, “Christmas Day will always be, just as long as we have we” hits close to home this Christmas. For many years, the “we” of Christmas was my Mum and Dad in their tiny house on Church Street in Forest. My parents loved this time of year and every corner of that house was filled with favourite knick knacks collected over the years, brought out in December and lovingly displayed. It was my “I’m coming home for Christmas” home.

When we lost our Dad, Jack, several years ago, everything seemed to change. The empty chair at the Christmas Day table created a void that I never imagined would be filled with new traditions, and so much love. My new home for Christmas is my sister Jen’s.  Thankfully, blessedly, the whole family has encircled me with much love and laughter.  My “we” has expanded in unexpected and wonderful ways. I am so grateful!

This overwhelming feeling of gratitude found me the past few weekends as I took to the road, heading north to find snowy back roads and a bit of perspective. Years ago I would drive north in my Jeep to take photos for homemade Christmas cards and as I retraced familiar concessions looking for the perfect snowy farm scape, the silence of the countryside reminded me of all the wonderful traditions that we had growing up on the farm. The Christmas Eve when Mum and Dad ran around our house with sleigh bells, hoping to keep Santa Claus alive and well for one more magical Christmas. The Christmas Eve when a blizzard kept us home, cradled in the warmth of our cozy farm house, playing endless rounds of euchre. The unexpected and welcome gift of a typewriter that helped me write my first “book”, a hockey skills manual narrated by Peter Puck, replete with hand-drawn illustrations and a copyright page (I was seemingly destined at the age of 10 for a career in publishing).

All of these memories and traditions stay with us and I think, are the best gift of Christmas. Time spent together as a family is time that is cherished. As we grow older, we seem to hold onto these memories and pull them out each year as a reminder of how lucky we are to be bound together in the simple gift of love.

On this Christmas Day I wish for you much love and laughter. Merry Christmas from your Vagabond Photographer!

“Welcome, Christmas, bring your cheer.
Cheer to all Whos far and near.
Christmas Day is in our grasp, so long as we have hands to clasp.
Christmas Day will always be just as long as we have we.
Welcome, Christmas. While we stand… Heart to heart… and hand in hand.”