McClelland Minute - December 20, 2009

Christmas Memories

Our family and that of my aunt / uncle who lived just a quarter mile away would get together either Christmas or New Year’s Day for a skating party followed by a meal and music.  My cousin Alison and I were close in age, and as young tykes we got wrestling and somehow rolled down the stairs of their 1 ½ storey house right over the table set for dinner!  Good thing everybody was in a good mood!

Several years after moving back to the farm with my own family, I decided to break a team of saddle horses to harness.  My Uncle Art rebuilt some sleigh runners and gave them to me.  I constructed a hay rack to fit on top, ordered some new nylon harness, and chose a couple of geldings out of the pen, one of which was supposed to be broke to drive.  

I realized I didn’t really know what I was doing so asked Art if he would come out and provide some instruction.  He handled that team of good ol’ boys like a NASCAR driver in a sports car, however, when he let me have the reins they came to dead stop!  Goes to show that horses aren’t dumb, they know when someone competent is behind them.

By the next Christmas I was able to give sleigh rides safely and I remember one passenger in particular having the time of his life – my 85 year old father in law.  Back in his bachelor days, he would round up a group of friends to attend dances for miles around.  Hearing the sleigh bells brought out a lot of stories, some of which I am quite sure his daughters had never heard before!

Thirty five years of marriage, and only once have we had to buy a Xmas tree, and that was when we lived in southern Alberta, with no spruce for miles around.  Since the kids could walk, we have loaded up the toboggans, and gone out to the “swamp” by the North Saskatchewan River.  We build a fire, do some sliding, and select the perfect tree.  In dry years the needles don’t last long, but somehow it signals the start of the holidays.  Our children now have their own daughters, and they seemed determined to see the tradition continue.

Every December Lloydminster Realtors volunteer to “ring the bells” for the Salvation Army in addition to supplying the turkeys for all the hampers.  I am always impressed by the generosity of people; you can not judge who will stop by or how much they will give.  It is also an opportunity to meet clients or old friends as they walk by.  Last year, I caught up with someone who I hadn’t seen in over 15 years.  We had a coffee a few nights later and it was like old times.

I know that the Christmas season can also be a sad time for many readers.  This December 25 will be the first time in my life that Kitty and I will be the oldest ones at our table.  It makes you realize how important it is to continually count those blessings in your life, and take the time today to tell family and friends how important they are to you.  All the best to you and yours!

Vern McClelland is associate broker with RE/MAX of Lloydminster.  If you have questions or comments on this article or other real estate matters, he can be reached at 780.808.2700 or through the McClelland Group website www.mcclelland.ca

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