A Gal's Best Winter Friend

“Fill ‘er up?” The friendly gas attendant at my favourite filling station asks through frozen lips hidden behind a balaclava.  “Anything else I can do for you?” he asks.   I gratefully reply, “Maybe just some gas-line anti-freeze, please” to which I get the pleasant “You bet”, even as I notice ice crystals forming on his eye lashes.

This is a conversation which has, no doubt, taken place many times over the past couple weeks in Prince Albert,  as we experience a few of those never-ending days of deep cold.  On a bitterly cold winter day, when my gas tank hits the empty mark, I can think of no one I appreciate more than the friendly men and women who pump gas for me.  I have extended my appreciation to them other times in my column, but each cold snap reminds me how grateful I am.  As I dislike filling my own tank - even in pleasant weather - I always appreciate the employees at the filling station, winter and summer.  However, I am the most thankful when those arctic winds start blowing and the weather turns cold. It always amazes me how friendly and helpful the attendants are, even in frigid temperatures. They are great ambassadors for their employers. They always impress me with their smiles and pleasant personalities.  After all, I would let them pump my gas even if they were not nice to me!

I feel a little guilty when they find a moment to go inside to warm up while my tank is filling, and they stand by the door shivering from the cold, noses running and icicles forming from their eyebrows (but not guilty enough, obviously, to fill my own tank).  Even as they warm up, knowing they are heading back out into the cold in a few short minutes, they are still eager to carry on a friendly conversation, chit-chatting, fingers exposed through their flip-top mitts.  These are truly amazing people and we should not take them for granted.  If we do, we might have to brave the cold ourselves and pump our own gas.  I don’t know how many pairs of long johns, under-shirts, sweaters, gloves and scarves one would have to wear to be that happy working in cold weather, and I don’t want to know.  I am just grateful that someone else has figured out how to stay warm while handling a gas nozzle.

In these bitter days of cold weather, I extend a heartfelt thank you and offer up a high-five - through flip-top mitts, of course -  to gas attendants through-out Prince Albert for your much appreciated service and friendliness.  Who care about diamonds – you are a gal’s best friend!  Having friends you can count on to get you through the cold . . . it’s a good thing.

Happy New Year

 

As much as I love Christmas, once it is over I am anxious to have things return to normal.  Our tree is hauled away and all the ornaments and decorations are packed and put away before New Year`s Day.  It seems that once the big day is over, the things that were so beautiful the day before are now in the way and cluttering up the house. I carefully place each treasured ornament and decoration in its storage container, knowing I will enjoy them all over again next Christmas. Perhaps it is because New Year`s Day is all about a fresh start, new hopes and plans for the incoming year,  that I feel the need to clear the house of Christmas reminders.  Somehow it seems you shouldn`t start the new year by putting away last year`s decorations.  Maybe by doing this, it feels like two separate special holidays.  I guess I`m not really sure why I do this, but by the time we ring in the new year at our house, all evidence of Christmas is gone. 

I enjoy spending New Year`s Eve and day with family and friends.  There is no better way to welcome the new year than by spending it with people you love. Together, you say good-bye to the old year and share hope for the new year. 

2013 stretches out in front of us, a blank page not yet filled, full of promise and hope.  We make resolutions – some we keep, some are forgotten by the next day.  Each year we think this will be the perfect year.  And while each year may not be perfect after all, we need to reflect on and remind ourselves of all the good things in our lives.  We live in a country where we enjoy incredible freedoms and social programs, everyone has access to education and employment. We live in a society which, for the most part, values family and children.  We have relatively quick and easy access to medical help when we need it. We have time for leisure and to enjoy ourselves. We are so fortunate and rich in ways that people in many other countries can only dream about. 

            No matter how 2013 turns out, we should enjoy our good fortune and appreciate the many blessings we have. Be sure to make time to spend with family and friends.  Volunteer to help someone in need.  Make time for yourself.  Do the things you love to do. Sometimes we need to make our own happiness to have the perfect year.

            I hope you had a wonderful start to the new year with people you love and that 2013 brings you joy, happiness and health.  Starting off the year with a clean slate . . . it’s a good thing.  

The Magic

 

Christmas is my favourite time of year.  There is excitement in the air and goodwill.  I savour everything the season brings: the hustle and bustle of finding that perfect present, gift wrapping, decorating the house, trimming the tree and baking.  My favourite part of the holiday season is spending time with friends and family. Celebrating with the people I love has always made any holiday special, but is even more special at Christmas.  

This year, Christmas is more poignant, more precious because of the horror we have just witnessed when young children and their teachers were senselessly murdered in Connecticut.  I think we all feel the need to hug our children a little tighter and an increased, almost urgent desire to spend time with those we love.  As President Obama said, our hearts are broken for the families who will have a lonely holiday season and whose children they are no longer able to hug.  This tragedy has reminded us once again how fortunate we are to have family and loved ones to celebrate with.

  

This year more than ever, I will appreciate and enjoy the big, noisy family I share my holiday meals with.  I will listen with gratitude as laughter rings throughout the house while my heart will ache for those families whose homes are silent because their little one was so cruelly taken away.  How sad this Christmas will be for them, as will every other Christmas from now on.  

More than ever, I will enjoy that comfortable feeling that comes from being with family who know each other better than anyone else ever could – and still like each other!  I always marvel at the inter-generational exchanges and how age doesn't matter at a family gathering. We all have something in common: each other.  We are all so alike and yet so different from each other. That is the magic of family, and it becomes even more magical at Christmas.  The horrific event in Connecticut has taken away not only a family member, but the magic of the season for so many innocent families.  As you celebrate your good fortune with loved ones this season, take a moment to send loving thoughts to those who, rather than planning meals and opening gifts, are planning funerals and grieving.  And don’t forget to hug your children and your loved ones.  

To each of you, I offer my  best wishes for a very Merry Christmas.  May your holiday celebration be perfect and create wonderful memories to cherish for a lifetime.

Knowing how fortunate we are to have family and friends close by during the holiday season . . . it's a good thing.