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Cherish the Moments and People That Fill Your Christmas and Hold Them Close to Your Heart.

By
Industry Observer

With Christmas once more soon upon us, my thoughts turn to Christmases past when my Grandparents were still alive and I find myself drifting off in revery to visits north on snowy two laned roads in winter and dusty, gravel strewn roads in summer.
A soft quietness comes over me and with a heavy heart, I think upon all of those who still graced my life in those days and are now gone.

A distant train whistle lulls me out of my complacency as I am carried back to an early evening many years ago and to the house my great grandfather built in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario. I was 6 years old that evening.

I remember laying there in bed in the soft twilight, a fresh scented sheet  covering my small body, the train whistle carrying through the screened window, the ghostly sheers blowing softly across my legs as the breeze carried in the elements of the evening; soft winds, train whistles, damp evening air.

I thought that moment would last forever. I thought I would stay small forever and growing up would never happen.
I prayed daily to grow up fast so that I could live my own life. I asked my Mother a thousand questions a day about when I would be old enough to do this and when would I be old enough to do that. Following her around the house as she did her many chores, I would relentlessly bemoan the same sentence over and over ‘I can’t wait until I am old enough to do this and I can’t wait til I am old enough to do…..’ .

She had incredible patience, my Mother. She still does. She would softly reply ‘Don’t wish your life away.’.

I never really understood what she meant. I thought she was just giving me something to confuse me and shush me up for a bit so she could get her work done.

Only as I got older and began missing things from the past, such as my son’s little smiling faces or funny sayings they would come out with , did I realize the full implication of what she was saying.
She was telling me to cherish each moment.
To be happy with where I was now, in this very moment, living the life I have at this very second.

Time waits for no one. If there are people
you love , tell them. They might not be here tomorrow. If there are things you want to do, don’t wait for 'some' day. ‘Somedays’ often have a habit of never coming.

Grasp this moment you have and fill it with all that brings joy to your heart and with as much as possible of that which feeds your soul. This is the true meaning of life.

I will forget about time now until the next time I hear a train whistle and it takes me back to that long ago evening that I thought would last forever.

May you cherish each moment that this Christmas season holds in store for you and carry it with you all of the days of your life, and more importantly, may you cherish the people who are with you this Christmas and hold them dear to your heart forever more.

 

©2009JoSmith

 

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Comments (14)

Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Absolutely beautiful... what a wonderful Chrismas message... Merry Christmas Jo-Anne -- and may your days be long!

Dec 19, 2009 12:18 PM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Jo-Anne, I loved your post down memory lane.  I am so excited about this particular Christmas.  Our son just got out of the Army this last June and we are all going to be together for Christmas.  My daughter got in today.  (Thank goodness she had an early morning flight as she flew in from NYC; all flights are canceled now).  My parents get in Tuesday and my sister is flying in Christmas day.  It has been 2004 since we were all able to get together.  At this time last year our son was in Iraq.  I hope you have a wonderful memorable Christmas also.

 

Dec 19, 2009 12:18 PM
Terry Chenier
Homelife Glenayre Realty - Mission, BC

Beautiful and timely message Jo-anne. Merry Christmas. Live long and prosper.

Dec 19, 2009 04:44 PM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

It's funny how time gives us a different perspective. Several of my friends have grandchildren and they are enjoying them so much. They look at the parents and think, "so what if the kids blow bazooka's all day.""So what if they jump on the beds, it is just a mattress."

I think grandkids must be a do over.

 

Dec 19, 2009 11:36 PM
Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Jo - How true ... at times we do tend to wish our lives away... we should be cherishing the moment more. Your post takes me back to the same Sturgeon Falls area and memories of a very close and dear friend who used to live in nearby Crystal Falls.

Dec 19, 2009 11:46 PM
Marzena Melby
Coldwell Banker Burnet Realty - Richfield, MN
Realtor, Twin Cities Minnesota Real Estate

Hi Jo - thank you so much for this post.  It's a great reminder to be in the "now".  This is the only way we can truly experience life .  Merry Christmas!

Dec 20, 2009 12:01 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Jo, I do love that we all have happy memories to fall back on.  And was incessant, like you about asking my mother questions---I always wanted to know the WHY of an answer.  We never know who may be gone in a flash and I never (I hope) forget to say "I love you" to those I cherish.

Dec 20, 2009 08:10 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Joan,

Thank you so much! Merry Christmas to you too and the very best in the coming year.

Jo

Dec 21, 2009 05:53 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Marchel,

It sounds like you're having the best kind of holiday seasons....filled with family. A very Merry Christmas to you all!

Jo

Dec 21, 2009 05:54 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Thank you Terry...Ditto to you!

Jo

Dec 21, 2009 05:55 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Missy,

I'm looking forward to having Grandkids some day...and I hope they don't live too far away. I've watched my Mom spoil her Grandkids like crazy and it looks like so much fun!

Jo

Dec 21, 2009 05:56 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Kathy,

I remember you speaking about your friend from the Sturgeon Falls area the time we got together at Tim Horton's and I'm glad this post reminded you of your friend...

Merry Christmas!

Jo

Dec 21, 2009 05:57 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Marzena,

Thank you! Yes, the present moment is what you have right now and should be cherished....

Jo

Dec 21, 2009 05:58 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Carole,

You are one of the most kind and sentimental people I know....I'm certain everyone in your life is kept aware of how much you care for them. They're blessed!

Jo

Dec 21, 2009 06:00 AM