The Citizen, 2007-12-20, Page 46“As the years go by, at least with
me, Christmas means something
different to me all the time,” says
Chris Lee of Walton.
“It meant one thing when I first
came here with my family from
England when I was a kid. It meant
something different when I was a
teenager and then when I first got
married and had kids and now, as we
enjoy grandchildren, it means
something different again.”
Lee, whose connection to the sport
of motocross made him familiar to
most people around Walton and
beyond, goes on to say that while
family always comes first in his
household, this is especially true
come Christmas.
When Lee first arrived in Walton,
he was part of a small family. Lee
said they knew no one in Canada, so
Christmas was a relatively quiet,
small time to celebrate.
However, as time went on, that
changed and now, with his children
all married with children, Christmas
is a busy time at the Lee household.
Lee says that he and his wife Judy
are lucky, saying that with all of their
children living within 45 minutes of
their home, it makes it easy for
everyone to get together for the
holidays. This is something that Lee
tries to find time for every year,
collecting all of the family at his
house for Christmas eve.
While being an “empty-nester”
might be tough sometimes, Lee says,
he also finds it relaxing to have more
time alone with Judy to enjoy quiet
time in the house or to rediscover the
beauty his property holds.
“When people come here over the
summer, they always come up to me
and compliment me on what a
beautiful spread this is. That’s nice
because sometimes, to be honest, I
forget myself how beautiful it is up
here,” Lee said. “While there’s no
dirt biking, I definitely appreciate it
more in the winter. It just looks great
and it feels Christmasy.”
Lee says that one of the things he
enjoys most about the winter season
is taking walks around his area
through the snow. While he can’t
reach all 200 acres of it, and the
pond in the back, one of the most
eye-catching of its attractions is out
of commission, Lee says that he and
Judy reappreciate their property in
the winter.
When asked about other
Christmas traditions, Lee says that
there aren’t many he practises that
are out of the ordinary.
He tries to have a big, family
dinner on Christmas Eve, every year,
but there are some things that have
stuck with the Lees over the
years.
Lee says that he continued an old
English tradition with his children
and that they’ve continued to uphold
it with their children: the tradition of
pillowcases.
“You see, in England, Santa
doesn’t wrap, so when you went to
bed at night, you left out your
pillowcase, because it was bigger
than a stocking, and when you woke
up on Christmas morning, it was
hopefully filled with gifts, but not
wrapped,” he said. “So that has
followed me over from England and
now our children have taught our
grandchildren to leave their
pillowcases out for Santa.”
Not only does Chris have a
tradition that has followed him
around for a while, Judy has had an
angel shadowing her for over 50
years now.
The angel that sits atop the Lee
Christmas tree has been with
Judy for just over half a century
and has sustained a lot of wear and
tear as well as ridicule from her
children.
“I always liked it and the kids
made fun, but there it sits still,” she
said.
Lee says he has always viewed life
as a journey, especially as he hasgotten older, and he has learned thatChristmas is an important stop onthat journey. “Christmas is a time when I stopand look at where I am now and where I was when I started,” he said.“We’re always very thankful forwhat we have around Christmas,with our family, the beautiful placewe live and how lucky we’ve been.”PAGE B14. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2007.Christmas Eve dinner a Lee gathering
A walk in the snow
While self-proclaimed empty-nester Chris Lee and his wife Judy may not have as much
activity around the house as they once did, they’ve found a new holiday tradition in
reappreciating where they live. The Lee family will often take a stroll through any number of
their 200 acres, which Chris says look a little bit better around Christmas. Their dog Sam is
always keen to join them on such excursions as well. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
Another great
season is in
the bag, and
we hope it’s
filled with good times
for you and your
family. We really
appreciate your
shopping with
us this past year.
Best Wishes from everyone at
Blyth 519-523-4551
Merry Christmas and Best Wishes
for the Year 2008
Nick, Gary & Chris Courtney & family would like to take
this opportunity to Thank You for your patronage in 2007.
Blyth Building Supplies Ltd.
Blyth 519-523-9305
Joy to you and yours at this special time of year! May your holiday
be filled with happiness, love and prosperity. Thank you for the gift
of your kind patronage, it has been our pleasure to serve you.
MM ee rr rr yy CC hh rr ii ss tt mm aa ss
Jack & Heather
VanDorp
By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen
519-887-9740
Brussels
Season’s
Greetings
from
Jason
and the staff
at