It’s a green Christmas here in Lincoln, Nebraska. Yesterday, the sky was blue and the air smelled of spring thaw. Erin, her father and I walked through the neighbourhood with Vivian comfortable in her snuggly. It was a good day.
With luck, this temperate weather will continue for our drive out to Platte, South Dakota, to see Vivian’s 97-year-old great grandmother, and a good chunk of my father-in-law’s family. Then it’s on to Vermillion for an O’Connor Christmas.
Today, my mother-in-law, her husband, my father-in-law and his wife, plus Erin, Vivian and I, all sat down for a good Christmas meal and gift exchange. Vivian got lots of loot, and Judy’s digital camera got a good workout (as you can see below).
I have to say that I’m feeling very good this Christmas. I’m surrounded by warmth and love and I’ve been blessed with a loving wife and a beautiful daughter. It makes me feel somewhat guilty, given that Wendy isn’t here. Everybody’s missing her something fierce. But Erin told me that Wendy wouldn’t want us to spend the holidays feeling guilty about being happy. She wouldn’t want us to pretend that things were fine when they weren’t, but she’d be pleased at the celebrations we’ve had.
In Canada, this is one of the first Christmases on record wherein an election campaign is being fought. And while it’s probably stretching the metaphor to talk about the Christmas celebrations that took place in the trenches between German and British soldiers during World War I, I realize in this warm glow that far more unites us than divides us. I am filled with a sense of good will, even towards ardent Conservatives.
But, seriously, I have enjoyed maintaining this online journal and I really appreciate the depth and breadth of the readership I’ve received. So, to all of my readers, Canadians, Americans, Brits, Australians, Liberals, Conservatives, New Democrats, Blocquistes and everybody else, a Merry Christmas to you all. May you have joy this holiday season, and a happy new year.
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Erin and Rosemarie posing with Rosemarie’s gift for Vivian: Crystal Jr. Which, if Erin’s old doll Crystal is any indication, should give Vivian much joy even unto her adult years. |
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Michael, posing with a nicely framed reproduction of a Civil War print. |
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Erin and Vivian posing in Santa hats. |
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Vivian (and grandfather) asleep. |
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Vivian awake. |
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Don’t mess with evil Santa! |