When I arrived at work last Friday there was a message waiting for me. I was to call my daughter's mother-in-law Nelda Robertson.
Nelda, who lives in Red Deer, wanted to drop off something to me before she and husband Donnie went to Calgary. An hour later she was handing me beautiful packages of Christmas goodies. I was completely floored by this kindness. The loving spirit of Christmas had arrived big time. All I had to do was savour the moment.
There is much to be thankful for this year. I have a beautiful new house, with Thunder the kitten very much enjoying his forever home with Top Cat. I have a job I love, great bosses and I do it in a community that has become a big part of my heart.
The other night I took stock, and there are just so many people I just have to acknowledge for the difference they make to our community.
I think of the wonderful ladies I meet every morning getting coffee at Tim Hortons. When I enter the drive-thru they always smile and serve me by name. There is Carole Sim, coordinator of the Innisfail and District Food Bank, who is as close to being a true saint as anybody who has ever lived here. I think of Dan Urban who dropped by the office last week to apologize for not making it to a photo shoot. But Dan, who works tirelessly for the Elks service club, should never apologize for anything. He's always a class act.
I will think especially kind things for my good friend Arno Glover, who is leaving his manager's post at the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion. Arno is a man who never refuses a request, and is always helping out. He has been a great assistance to this paper and me for all of the three years he has been in Innisfail.
And I also think of horseshoes czar Myrna Kissick, who I admire for her boundless energy for her sport and community, and her constant thoughtfulness. I will always treasure the cat cup she recently gave me. Due to space limitations I am forced to leave out countless good people, but each are in my thoughts, especially at Christmastime.
It is a day, after all, when all the calamities of the world, the heartbreaks, and the pain, appear to pause for at least those special timeless moments, when joy, peace and hope seemingly go on forever.
Merry Christmas.
