Peace and Joy

Over the past few years, my Christmases have become more and more simple.  I buy gifts for only two people - my daughter and my mom;  the rest of my family and friends I remember through donations to charity, or celebrate with them through joint activities, or share a little tin of my homemade Christmas speciality- Cheese Crispies - and a wee nip of something.  I don't travel, I don't host big dinners, I don't sweat the small stuff.  A few favourite decorations, a few special treats to eat and drink, and a look in the local paper to find out what might be fun to attend.

And from this I receive both peace and joy.   I get to experience the peace that comes from being able to step back and breathe deeply of the crisp morning air, from taking a stroll in a deserted park or on a beach, while others fight traffic and stress about gifts and max out their credit cards and hang around airports.

And I also get to experience the joy that comes from singing carols, watching parades, gazing at Christmas lights, sipping hot chocolate with friends, breaking bread that someone else has prepared.

Two weeks ago, my friend Else and I shared my homemade soup and her Christmas goodies then watched the Crofton parade from the end of my driveway.

Here they come!

Local businesses and groups brighten the town

Santa brings up the rear

Then I went over to a parking lot in the next block where Crofton's one and only church set up refreshments and where their live band led the community in carol singing.  Everyone and their dogs attended - though for some reason I didn't photograph any of the many dogs who were there.  I did, however, photograph children mesmerized by the lights and music (photographed with parents' permission for publication).

Montgomery gazes at the band
during the community sing-a-long

Kaylin, hands full of popcorn, watches the musicians

Ayla dances with her mom

This past week or so has been filled with joyous activities too, which I'll blog about over the next few days - a party that went to the dogs, a night time train ride through a forest of lights, a visit to family and friends on the mainland that ended with a sunset cruise (I posted some of those pics a few days ago, but have more to post from that trip).  Tonight Else and I are off to a pantomime, tomorrow I'm having a pre-Christmas turkey dinner at a neighbour's, Sunday I volunteer at the Chemainus Theatre presentation of The Gifts of the Magi.

I think it's a good thing I keep my Christmas simple - there's plenty to enjoy without shopping and baking and hosting big dinners.

Let others do the work - I'll reap the pleasure.