Christmas 2010

Christmas.

I remember that year that I ‘accidently’ found a black baby doll way back at the top of mom’s bedroom closet.  Of course I was so excited I had to tell her about my discovery and she sadly told me that I had forced her into a corner..

   ‘Now I will have to give it to someone else to give to a little girl!’  

I was devastated. My life was over…except, come Christmas morning, I found it under the tree with: with From Jackie on the tag. My mom was true to her word and had given it to ‘some one else’, but, bless her heart, I was still that little girl on the receiving end. 

I think the best thing about Christmas is the unexpected stuff: the surprises.   

Sure.. we all would love a diamond ring or new car… I know that would surprise the heck out of me!  But if you are always expecting something really big, you are bound to be disappointed at some point… and that can’t be good. 

Jeri showed me her best gift of the season….  a pair of gloves. (She lives in Calgary.. hello!)  They were from her daughter, and the right hand, index finger-tip was made so that she can use her I-phone without taking them off!  Now that’s a gift anyone that’s ever received a Facebook message from Jeri in the morning can appreciate.. like me!

Yup.. Christmas is full of surprises. 

Monte was expecting to be on the top of a mountain in South America, but instead spent the day relaxing at sea level, in the sun, with a beer.  Sounds ok to me!

I thought Gabe and Nola would be in Madeira.. but they spent the holidays in Calgary.  And that’s ok.

Travis and Steph didn’t expect to lose George.. to spend a Christmas quietly mourning a wonderful father and grandpa.

Dad was surprised to be spending Christmas Eve stuck in his chair because of a power outage. 

John was pleased that both Robbie and Sara spent the day with him and his parents. 

Nothing really surprises Jackie.   

And I wasn’t surprised either, when I didn’t hear from Jake.. who hopefully got my card and had a really nice day.  I loved that Nathan wrote a really nice email.. that was a nice surprise. 

And there were gifts.. mom got me a Sony Reader.  I was eyeing them up after Kymme showed me how she read books on her I-phone.  Very cool. Thanks mom.. that was a really nice early Christmas surprise.  

Vassi is always buying me whatever I really want or need...which can be different than what I just think I want..   I am always surprised at his generosity, almost as much as the fact that I am even in Oz for the holidays this year. 

I didn’t really expect to be here for Christmas, but this is where I needed to be this year: with Vas.   And with his work and my travel we couldn’t really afford the money or the time to leave the country for a week, and instead of Thailand or Indonesia, we had a great time in Darwin, relaxing at the Holiday Inn: hanging out at the pool, drinking beer at the corner Irish pub and eating Asian food wherever we could get it.   

My biggest surprise of the season? 

Before we left to Darwin I found myself spending a couple of nights in the Kununurra hospital with a real-life little, black, baby doll that needed me.

I had to give him back, but really.. how lucky am I?!