A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER

Well, this would have been my first Christmas away from home!

I had left my grass-roots environment to start the spread of my branches of influence in other distant places. The summer had gone, along with the beautiful, golden and crimson autumn. Now, winter had chilled the Back Forty as well as all woodlots and corn fields and fall wheat. I had enjoyed being where I was and doing what I was doing away from home, following my chosen profession. But, now Christmas was coming and I was far from home.

Winter seemed to come early here and brought with it freezing cold, drifted roads, aching toes and frozen fingers. Yes, I would be going home for Christmas!

I soon had my suitcase packed with the necessary clothing and some Christmas gifts to share with the family. I bought my train and bus tickets and then sent a telegram (telephone communication was out due to winter storms), to make sure that I would be met at the right place at the right time. I remember that I still had a little money left in my meager bank account (I earned all of $19.00 a week basic pay and out of this paid $7.00 a week for room and board.)

My folks had first planned to meet the train in Strathroy. Because of the bad weather conditions, I thought it would be better to be met at Komoko. So it was that I sent the telegram. Due to the same weather conditions, the telegram did not get through.

Following a quick lunch at my boarding house, I ran as best I could with my heavy bag to catch my bus at about 11:30 A.M. Then at 1:10 I boarded the train for London. Heavy, cold weather made train travel slow and uncertain. Hence, the train was an hour and a quarter late getting into London, where I changed trains for Komoko. This train was also late in leaving. Well, after a total of over six hours travelling time and a distance of about one hundred and thirty miles, I arrived at the Komoko station, which was already darkened and practically deserted. Certainly, I could see that no one was there to meet me; and there was no way to communicate by the familiar telephone. I suddenly had a lost feeling, and it was cold!

What to do?

I decided to do the only thing I could do. I set off on my own to hitchhike with my heavy bag and all. I was about seven miles from the farm and home and the roads were practically deserted and filled with snow. My first bit of good fortune was a ride, howbeit short, on a farm sleigh to the nearest local store, where I was left to other fortunes. The telephone lines were all out of order due to the weather, so I still could not get in touch with the folks. So I gathered up my bag and was on my way again out into the winter night of snow and cold. With my warmly mittened hands clutching this bag of gifts and clothing, without even a friendly moon to light my way, I stumbled on through the almost trackless snow. Just before my spirits let me down, I heard the happy jingle, jingle, jingle of sleigh bells behind me. I stepped aside and waited for the welcome lift.

This time, I got through. I learned that the folks had gone to Strathroy to get me. So I bid good night to my friends and set off again without the heavy bag, which I left with Archie and Violet. My step was lighter now, as I saw the dim light of Home and could smell the wood fire and warmth of the family fireside.

I made it! We made it! Myself and some kind country folk and neighbours and the anticipation of the family love ahead.

I soon made away with a generous helping of home cooked beans and home-made bread and butter, topped with Ma's home canned peaches.

Well, Brother Earl finally arrived home and was glad to see me, having spent several hours in the cold looking for me. Well, we all gladly relaxed from all the anxiety and confusion of the day as I recounted the events of my adventures. This was indeed a Christmas Eve to remember.

After breakfast, brother Louis and I drove back to Poplar Hill to get that precious bag of gifts and clothing, while Ma, Auntie and Nellie prepared the Dinner. This year we had roasted duck, mashed white potatoes, sweet potatoes, home stewed cranberries, celery, home-made carrot pudding, home-made candy, which had been kept cool in the parlour, and nuts (the nutcracker kind). Gifts were exchanged amid "thank you's", "how wonderful" and other expressions of love.

We all enjoyed this happy reunion together again. The hardships were soon forgotten and only the pleasantries remain to make this Christmas memorable. I would go back to my new life in a distant place.