Through The Ages...

When I'm 83, and Calvin is 84, I hope I will see the kind of love and devotion I see in my Grandfather Richmond every single day.

Yesterday, I watched my Grandpa nuzzle my Grandma and say to her, 'well love! Lots more good times for us yet'.....and I watched her tear up and nod 'yes', the best she can.

My Grandpa would NEVER complain about anything. He would never say that he thinks it's a rip off that in their last years together, Grandma is wheelchair bound, can't communicate properly and has to live away from him. He would NEVER complain about the constant back pain he's in.....instead, he thanks God for every moment, special or plain. He never takes credit for himself, and offers nothing but positive words and happy thoughts.

Today, I was really touched by the love, honour, commitment and cherishing I saw between them.

Today, I understood the vows I took with Calvin when we got married almost 12 years ago.

Today, I was thankful for the example of what a relationship that has stood the test time looks like.

Today, I knew that I saw something special.

An Open Letter.....

This is an open letter to Mr and Mrs. Cranky.

I see them often this time of year and I'd like to tell them to please take a flying leap. Please go home and don't come out until you can control your attitude.

No one wants to tell you but you just make yourself look like an ass when you do the following things....

1) Be mad at a line up at a store. You groan, growl or make under the breath comments about the line, and stare daggers at the check out person. (My personal favorite is if the till tape runs out when it's your turn. LOOK OUT!)

2) Give me the finger when I don't move out of a parking spot at the post office.

3) Yell at the post office ladies about not taking your flyers and then proceed to throw them on the floor or in an empty shopping cart outside. Nice.

4) Roll your eyes at the Starbucks manager when she politely tells you that there has been such high demand they are out of White Mocha sauce but they are hoping for a delivery later in the day.

5) Be pissy when someone says Merry Christmas to you at the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle.

6) Yell at the lady at Mark's Work Warehouse when your 'regular' size of pants doesn't fit....and make a comment about their sizing....oh yeah, it couldn't POSSIBLY be what you're eating??

7) Stomp around Zellers in the later half of December when they don't have anymore size 3 boots. It's December. Up North. Plan ahead!

8) Grumble about the price of shipping at the post office when you have to send something express post because you didn't get your act together and send it in early December. Yes, that is totally the fault of Canada Post.

9) Make a scene at Schimmils (a bakery in town) when you go in at the end of the day and they dared...and I mean DARED to sell all the cinnamon buns before YOU, Mr. and Mrs. Cranky got one. (PS....less baking may help you fit into those pants at Mark's Work Warehouse!!)

10) Complain about the cold. In Northern BC. Where you choose to live. Makes total sense.

Thank you for listening.

Merry Christmas.

Michelle

Oh.....The Weather Outside Is Frightful....

Well...that's true. The weather is frightful. To me anyway.....Calvin loves -10 and snow because it's perfect 'rink' making weather.

The busyness of the Christmas season has started, the egg nog is flowing.....and the snow is blowing......and I am easily reminded of how much I love this season.

Funny Story....
I was teaching a piano student this week, and I was asking her if she LOVED Christmas...she said yes...and I started chattering on about all the things I love about this time of year...the lights...the music...the snow...the family time....the presents....and on and on....

And do you know what she said to me?

'Uh...yes, Mrs. Elliott, those things are nice, but the thing I love most is that it's Jesus' birthday'

Right. That's what I was going to say.....really!

Check please?