Happy Holidays From The Homestead

This our first Christmas on our beautiful PEI homestead, and while it's a very special occasion for myself and Allison, there is a little sadness in my heart too. You see, this Christmas is one of the very few I remember not being at home with my Mom and Dad. I can only specifically remember one other occasion that didn't happen actually, which is pretty amazing since I'm 40 years old. Even though I'm happy as a clam on the hobby farm right now, I can't say I don't miss it, them. This was always one time a year that I, and they, could count on us spending some time together. But this year being the first one in PEI, and us only being here for a few months, barely settled in, going back home just wasn't in the cards. I'm thinking about them though, and all those family Christmases we had together, and how much everyone always enjoyed the holiday season. I have a lot happy memories that my mind has been flooded with today, thoughts that I'll cherish for the rest of my life. This time of year was always about family and friends, and most of all love. If there is anything I learned from my parents, it's how to love. This time of year reminds me of that more than anything else, as I think about the Christmas days when I was a young lad, and my family would host a dinner for probably 20 people or more. I have a big family, but it wasn't just family. It was friends, and neighbors, people who were in rough times; it could have been anyone really. I remember the dining room table being extended, and many chairs added. I remember a kids table where the young ones gathered. Most of all, I remember all the smiling faces as the steam rose from the delicious food we were about to eat. And that was just Christmas day. The whole season was filled with giving and love. It truly is a special time of year, and my Mom and Dad taught me that more than anyone or anything.
Though there is sadness as I miss my family, I'm so happy to be where I am. It's important for Allison and I to start making our own homestead holiday customs now, to build upon and blend our families traditions. This is our first home - out last home - together. We want to make sure we entrench our own personalities into the season, and we have. Allison was already a very Christmas spirited person, and her jolly attitude around this time of year has rejuvenated a semi-dead love of Christmas in me. For many years I was somewhat ba-humbuggy about the whole thing, save the time spent with family. I think the whole commercialization of it all got to me or something, as I became more aware and political in my older age. I'm glad Allison helped me forget about all that though, and just enjoy it for what it is. It ain't going anywhere, so it's just as well right?  It happens to be a bonus that it also helps remind me of my childhood Christmases with my family, and it will for the rest of our lives together. I'm off to enjoy it.
Merry Christmas everyone. Happy Holidays, if you prefer. Peace and love to all.