As I write this column, east-central Alberta is immersed in a major blizzard. It’s inconvenient, but it sure is beautiful. Best of all, this snow-covered world brings thoughts back to Christmas, which is a welcome distraction from the newscast airing this evening.
These days, all the news reports seem filled with doom and gloom. One wonders why the world can’t put away the weapons, COVID disputes, political posturing, and personal grudges for a while. They need only look to a little town in east central Alberta during the Christmas season to see what it’s like when folks are kind and generous of spirit.
Our communities look after their own during tough times. In our local grocery stores, food bank donation boxes overflow with staples and the kindness and generosity of neighbours. Churches, schools, and many organizations bring their boxfuls of food and gifts to the Silent Santa Program so that volunteers can make their deliveries before Christmas.
Years back, the foreman and I made these deliveries to homes before Christmas. We never left a home where someone wasn’t tearful and overwhelmed with gratitude for the community’s generosity. When times were better for those recipients, they paid that generosity forward.
The Christmas following the loss of our grandson, the doorbell would ring with someone leaving Christmas baking or flowers, Christmas carolling, or just stopping by to say they were thinking of us. Kindness overflows in a small town during tough times.
We see that kindness in big ways and smaller ones. Folks shovel sidewalks, lend an arm to help someone across the street, pick up groceries for someone struggling to get out during the winter weather, or set an extra place at the table for neighbours who are alone for Christmas.
Several years ago, a group of us donned our warmest winter attire and got on a hay rack pulled by a truck. We went carolling to the hospital and the seniors’ lodge and visited those we knew couldn’t be out and about. It was a wonderful time, and it truly infused us with the “reason for the season.”
The Christmas season in a small town has a certain air about it: the words from an old song by Bob Crosby and the Bobcats come to mind:
“I love those dear hearts and gentle people
Who live in my hometown
Because those dear hearts and gentle people
Will never ever let you down”
Wishing everyone peace, love, joy and kindness.
Merry Christmas.
- Beth
