To My Little Sisters: Keep Flying Down the Hill.
The snowflakes pirouetted against the windowpane, a mesmerizing ballet of delicate beauty, as the winter wind whispered secrets in a gentle melody. I sat in my cozy Manitoba home, cradling a warm cup of homemade apple cider tea, infused with the sweetness of fermented apples from the tree out back, and felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me. The CBC News played softly in the background, its familiar cadence a comforting accompaniment to the howling blizzard outside, blanketing our country fields neighbourhood in a thick layer of snow. I could hear my friends and family chatting downstairs, their laughter and chatter intertwining with the aroma of freshly baked cookies, wafting up to tease my senses, as they watched YouTube videos and cooked up a storm, the scent of simmering mushroom gravy and fresh-baked bannock mingling with the air.
As I prepared for my daily fitness routine, my mind began to wander to the joys of winter in Canada. The crunch of snow beneath my boots, the rush of adrenaline as I shovelled the patio. I recalled the countless hours I spent as a child, lovingly shovelling the snow in front of our Calgary home, ensuring the sidewalk was clear for our elderly neighbours. The weight of responsibility had been a valuable lesson, one that taught me the importance of community and kindness.
As I got ready for the day, the algorithm on my YouTube feed suggested Jann Arden's Christmas podcast. I couldn't resist the temptation to listen, and as her voice filled the room, I felt my heart swell with joy. Jann Arden and Celine Dion are, without a doubt, Canadian music royalty, their voices weaving a quilt of warmth and comfort that's quintessentially Canadian. I clicked on the link, and Jann's podcast,
"A Very Canadian New Year's with Jann Arden & Adrienne Arsenault | The Jann Arden Podcast | S5 E50" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZhxYqu8-mY), began to play. As I listened, I learned that Jann had once been electrocuted on stage, the jolt of electricity coursing through her teeth. Her strength and resilience, a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there's always hope.
I hadn't realized that Adrienne Arsenault has a great sense of humour and is kind, she's like everyone's best friend who will find you vegan bread and take you to throw axes. I remember watching a show when Jann talked about her mother. I cried and prayed to God to please send someone to comfort Jann Arden. She seemed so lost. Turns out God already sent the empathetic Adrienne Arsenault.
As I sat, sipping my tea and testing a new probiotic supplement, I thought about the art and content for my Vitamin D3 post. The lady on the CBC YouTube channel had mentioned her favourite Christmas song was a rap song by Run DMC, and I found myself smiling at the eclectic mix of musical tastes that makes Canada so unique. Then, a man phoned in, correctly stating that Mariah Carey still held the crown for Christmas songs. I allowed my side-eye and frown to relax, feeling a sense of rightness wash over me, as I thought about the dental-themed drinks mixology and vegan recipes I needed to upload next.
The snow outside seemed to be growing heavier, the flakes hitting the window with a force that made me grateful to be indoors. I thought about the children, and how much fun they would have when the blizzard was over, and the mountains of fluffy snow would be theirs to explore. In Canada, we love two types of blizzards - the kind that is served in a cup with ice cream and candy, and the kind that keeps you snowed in with the people you love for days.
As I stirred my tea, questioning whether I needed more cinnamon to complement the taste of the fermented apples, my thoughts began to drift to the blizzards and fun of my childhood. This post, I decided, would be a Christmas post dedicated to all my little sisters, a celebration of the joy and laughter we shared during those magical winter days.
When I was a little girl, my best friend was a little boy named Dean, who lived across the street from my house. We were about ten years old, and in the winter, we'd go tobogganing down the steepest cliff overlooking Sandy Beach, our hearts racing with excitement. I remember our very first attempts, dressed in our snow suits, flying down the cliff, the snow so high that it covered our bodies and the toboggan in at least three feet of powder.
I recall Dean and I having a conversation at the top of the cliff, discussing the need for a windshield to protect us from the snow. Dean's little brother, Kyle, was still a baby, too small to keep the snow from hitting our shoulders and freezing to our scarves. But I had something valuable that Dean didn't - I had tall little sisters. I remember placing one of my little sisters at the front of the toboggan, Dean and I measuring to make certain that the snow would clear over her head. And then, we flew down the hill at top speed, my little sister's body shielding us from the snow, as we laughed and screamed with joy.
The rush of the wind, the sting of the snow on our faces, and the thrill of weightlessness as we soared down the cliff - it was exhilarating. The snow-covered trees blurred together, a green and white streak, as we picked up speed. My little sister's laughter echoed through the air, mingling with mine and Dean's, creating a symphony of joy that still echoes in my mind to this day. The world was a blur of white and green, a swirling vortex of snow and trees, as we flew down the hill, our hearts full of laughter and our spirits soaring.
We stopped tobogganing that day, not because I ran out of little sisters, but because we were too tired to hike back up the hill with my little sister and the toboggan. As I looked back, I realized that those moments, though fleeting, had been some of the most precious of my childhood. And as I sat, warm and safe in my Manitoba home, surrounded by love, I knew that this Christmas would be one to remember.
I love Canada, and I love Canadian blizzards, when I'm surrounded by the people and things that bring me joy. So, as the snow continues to fall, and the world outside grows quieter, I'll raise a cup of hot apple cider tea to my little sisters, to Dean, and to the magic of Canadian winters. Merry Christmas, indeed.
As the night drew to a close, I thought about the true meaning of Christmas - love, kindness, and community. And I knew that this Christmas, surrounded by my loved ones, would be a time to cherish and remember. The snow outside may have been falling gently, but the memories and emotions it stirred within me were anything but gentle. They were a reminder of the beauty and wonder of childhood, of the joy and laughter that comes with sharing experiences with those we love.
As I finished my tea, I felt a sense of contentment wash over me. The blizzard outside may have been raging, but inside, all was calm and bright. The tree lights twinkled, the fire crackled, and the sound of laughter and music filled the air. It was a truly Canadian Christmas, one that I would always treasure.
And so, as the night drew to a close, I wanted to share this sense of joy and wonder with all of you. I wanted to remind you of the magic of Canadian winters, of the love and kindness that comes with sharing experiences with those we care about. And I wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, filled with laughter, joy, and all the things that bring you happiness.
As I looked out the window, I saw the snow-covered trees, their branches heavy with the weight of the snow. I saw the lights of the houses across the fields, twinkling like stars in the night sky. And I saw the faces of my loved ones, smiling and laughing as we shared in the joy of the season. It was a truly magical moment, one that I would always remember.
And so, as the snow continues to fall, and the world outside grows quieter, I'll leave you with a final thought. Christmas is a time for love, kindness, and community. It's a time to come together with those we care about, to share in the joy and wonder of the season. And it's a time to remember the true meaning of Christmas - the love and kindness that we show to one another.
Merry Christmas, Canada. May your holiday season be filled with laughter, joy, and all the things that bring you happiness. And may the magic of Canadian winters stay with you throughout the year, reminding you of the love and kindness that we share with one another.
RUN DMC - Christmas In Hollis (Official HD Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR07r0ZMFb8&list=RDOR07r0ZMFb8&start_radio=1
