The Rural Voice, 1989-12, Page 38I
TOWN AND COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
Gisele Ireland shares the memories
that bring families and communities together.
n the Ireland family, Christmas is a celebration that
just keeps growing!
When Brian's parents lived on the farm it just seemed
natural to spend Christmas Day with them. There was
always so much to do and you could walk off the effects of
a table -groaning dinner. Although we didn't appreciate it at
the time, his parents became a focal point of the celebration.
Twenty five years later, the celebration has become a
firm tradition. There's a lot more of us now — with the
spouses picked up along the way and their families, we
number 40 plus. But Grandma and Grampa's house was
always big enough. Grandma had extra mittens and a
change of clothes tucked away for those small accidents.
Grandpa made sure there was a variety of sleds and hockey
sticks in the old shed for the grandchildren to work off some
of their exuberance. There were times when making it to
their house was complicated by the weather. But we made
it, whether by tractor, snowmobile, or a trek along rugged
roads. Being with Grandma and Grandpa to celebrate was
of prime importance to every member of the family.
A few years ago, Grandma and Grandpa moved to town.
We were happy so see them take things a little easier, but all
of us secretly wondered what would happen to Christmas.
The house they moved into was so much smaller, and it was
right across from the church. Was this quiet little town
ready for an Ireland invasion on Christmas Day?
The first year we had Christmas in town it was a little
quieter than usual. We were all aware of the neighbours and
that we shouldn't disturb them on this special day. Grand-
ma's house was newly decorated with rugs throughout,
which put fear into mothers' hearts when youngsters toddled
around with sloshing glasses of milk. Guilt really went into
overdrive when we left. The living room was festooned
with bits of ribbon and wrapping. Dishes were everywhere.
Under your feet you could feel what had crash-landed.
Grandma and Grandpa just smiled as they waved us on,
albeit a little more drawn and tired than when they had
greeted us.
The older grandchildren took the matter in hand. The
next day, a bevy of them showed up for the housecleaning.
In no time the house was restored to its former pristine
neatness. They decided themselves what changes would be
made next year. No more peanuts in the shell because the
vacuum balked at getting the shells out of the rug. No more
sticky hard candy because it became cement when half
chewed and lost. Opening the gifts would be more
organized the next time.
The second Christmas in town captured the best of what
we enjoyed on the farm and added a new dimension.
Instead of downplaying the high spirits of the celebration,
we made it possible for others to join in. One end of the
street was blocked off for a rousing game of road hockey
and the other end became a toddler playground. Grandpa
still had a fine collection of sleds which he gets at auction
sales he loves to attend. The more fun the gang had playing,
the more people were drawn to see what was going on.
We were all aware that this celebration is holy, and
Grandpa always tells stories about Bethlehem. His
grandchildren make a rapt audience. We know this time
in our lives is special as we won't always be all together.
But while we are, we'll celebrate with a passion and with
overflowing hearts, as I'm sure we were meant to.0
36 THE RURAL VOICE
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TOWN AND COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
Gisele Ireland shares the memories
that bring families and communities together.
n the Ireland family, Christmas is a celebration that
just keeps growing!
When Brian's parents lived on the farm it just seemed
natural to spend Christmas Day with them. There was
always so much to do and you could walk off the effects of
a table -groaning dinner. Although we didn't appreciate it at
the time, his parents became a focal point of the celebration.
Twenty five years later, the celebration has become a
firm tradition. There's a lot more of us now — with the
spouses picked up along the way and their families, we
number 40 plus. But Grandma and Grampa's house was
always big enough. Grandma had extra mittens and a
change of clothes tucked away for those small accidents.
Grandpa made sure there was a variety of sleds and hockey
sticks in the old shed for the grandchildren to work off some
of their exuberance. There were times when making it to
their house was complicated by the weather. But we made
it, whether by tractor, snowmobile, or a trek along rugged
roads. Being with Grandma and Grandpa to celebrate was
of prime importance to every member of the family.
A few years ago, Grandma and Grandpa moved to town.
We were happy so see them take things a little easier, but all
of us secretly wondered what would happen to Christmas.
The house they moved into was so much smaller, and it was
right across from the church. Was this quiet little town
ready for an Ireland invasion on Christmas Day?
The first year we had Christmas in town it was a little
quieter than usual. We were all aware of the neighbours and
that we shouldn't disturb them on this special day. Grand-
ma's house was newly decorated with rugs throughout,
which put fear into mothers' hearts when youngsters toddled
around with sloshing glasses of milk. Guilt really went into
overdrive when we left. The living room was festooned
with bits of ribbon and wrapping. Dishes were everywhere.
Under your feet you could feel what had crash-landed.
Grandma and Grandpa just smiled as they waved us on,
albeit a little more drawn and tired than when they had
greeted us.
The older grandchildren took the matter in hand. The
next day, a bevy of them showed up for the housecleaning.
In no time the house was restored to its former pristine
neatness. They decided themselves what changes would be
made next year. No more peanuts in the shell because the
vacuum balked at getting the shells out of the rug. No more
sticky hard candy because it became cement when half
chewed and lost. Opening the gifts would be more
organized the next time.
The second Christmas in town captured the best of what
we enjoyed on the farm and added a new dimension.
Instead of downplaying the high spirits of the celebration,
we made it possible for others to join in. One end of the
street was blocked off for a rousing game of road hockey
and the other end became a toddler playground. Grandpa
still had a fine collection of sleds which he gets at auction
sales he loves to attend. The more fun the gang had playing,
the more people were drawn to see what was going on.
We were all aware that this celebration is holy, and
Grandpa always tells stories about Bethlehem. His
grandchildren make a rapt audience. We know this time
in our lives is special as we won't always be all together.
But while we are, we'll celebrate with a passion and with
overflowing hearts, as I'm sure we were meant to.0
36 THE RURAL VOICE