“Mom, please come and play a game with us.” The pleading had been going on all afternoon. It was Christmas and I was diligently preparing the traditional turkey dinner for my young family.
I had promised to spend time with them and their new games but there was so much to do.
I prayed silently, hoping to find time to be with them on this special day.
The answer to that prayer came unexpectedly during a cold, rainy
spell the following summer. I had made a big pot of French onion soup and my son came in after playing outside.
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“Mom, what are you cooking? It smells like Christmas in here,” he said.
Would soup work for our Christmas meal? It would give me more quality time with my children but still keep the festive atmosphere by eating something special.
December came and with it the usual flurry of activity. There were letters to write, shopping to do and baking to prepare. Then, of course, there were Christmas recitals, parties galore and the customary Christmas concert.
While making my last grocery list before Christmas, I recalled the onion soup idea. My husband was reluctant to give up a big meal but agreed to try it.
Christmas Day dawned cold and cloudy, and with the smell of the soup in the background, there was plenty of time for games, stories and animated conversations about Christmas.
It was an exceptional day and we decided to repeat it the following year, adding a baked French loaf to the menu.
Candles glowed on each face around our table as we ate our meal and took turns sharing something special about each family member.
Over the years, many precious memories came from these relaxing Christmas Days.
This meal helped us connect as a family and smooth over many of the bumps in life.
Our children are now grown and away from home but one thing remains the same.
When we talk about Christmas plans, the only thing that really matters is that we have lots of time together.
———
Season’s Greetings
Mr. Broyce Jacobs,
MLA Cardston-Taber-Warner Constituency Parliamentary Assistant for Agriculture &Rural Development
Taber
Constituency Office1-888-600-6080 Cardston Constituency Office(403) 653-5100 Legislature Office(780) 422-0685
Thereisnotime morefittingtosay ThankYou
andtowishyoua HappyChristmas andaNewYear ofhealth,happiness andprosperity
Ted Menzies, M.P. for MacleodClaresholm OfficeBox 40, 4925 -1st Street WClaresholm, AB TOL OTOTel.: (403) 625-5532Toll Free: 1-866-636-9437email: menzies.t@parl.gc.ca
This holiday season, I would like to extend from my family to yours, our warmest wishes for a safe and happy holiday.
Merry Christmas!
Parliament Hill Office 256 Confederation Building House of Commons Ottawa, ON K1A OA6 Tel.: (613) 995-8471 www.tedmenzies.ca
Christmas Open HouseWednesday, December 22,
from 1 -4 PM Claresholm Constituency Office
