December 15, 2025Monday, December 15, 2025

Just a thought… What is Christmas? It is the tenderness of the past, courage for the present and hope for the future. [Agnes Pahro]

Hang in until Sunday, my friend. That’s when we start to turn the corner into more daylight with the arrival of the Winter Solstice, which is worth celebrating no matter what your faith!

Our traditions have been changing every year since Lauren died ten years ago and this Christmas Eve, for the second time in my life (the first was when I moved to Windsor, far from home), I’ll be alone. No tears – just memories – and Rob flies in on Christmas Day. What can I say? It was a much cheaper flight. And as we remind each other, “It’s only a day.”

I’ll probably hang out on my Facebook page and share thoughts and company with anyone else who’s alone on the 24^th. It’s a night that used to be so packed with meaning and love thanks to an annual radio show that was a highlight of my career for some 20 years. Leave me a note in the FB comments if you plan to join.

This year, more than ever, we’ve leaned away from trees and decorating, as it would be just for us; also being in a rental home it makes zero sense. I still enjoy lights that others have hung on their balconies and the displays on tiny lawns. But not for us.

Because Rob’s also flying in with just a backpack (again, cheaper) there will be no gifts this year – not a one. Of course, there’s his hard work getting the condo into shape after bringing in the rest of our house contents, and making plans and purchases for Wedgie (see journal here for details on our tiny new cottage on a smaller island which becomes ours next month). Those definitely count as the acts of love that are year-long gifts in the spirit of the holidays: showing kindness and care, and letting someone know – not with material things (although, yes, a heated toilet seat/bidet is material and I can’t wait to try it in our new place) – but with thoughts and actions.

I won’t lie. It feels strange and almost neglectful not to be getting Rob anything. I feel as if I should at least order lingerie as he says he just looks forward to cuddling (and we all know where that leads), but since it’s his Prime account and I don’t go out to shop here without a car, nothing will be a surprise. Like the old joke goes, I could drape myself in Saran Wrap and so he can enjoy “leftovers again.” God bless him, he’s just grateful by nature!

Goodness, am I actually alluding to sexy 60s (and in Rob’s case 70s)? I guess I am. While my antidepressants don’t do a thing for the libido, I’m more than willing to go along for the ride, so to speak, as Rob makes up for both of us. If this is TMI, well, this place is where I tell my stories.

Remember in our 20s, we much preferred to think of our parents as staying in their Rob and Laura Petrie twin beds, all night, every night. Of course, that wasn’t the case, but it’s almost startling to realize we are that age – and beyond – and we’re still…cuddling, so many of us.

It reminds me of a movie I watched alone the other night that starred Robert Redford and Jane Fonda (Our Souls at Night from 2017). She’s a lonely widow who invites her widower neighbour over just for the nights, since she can’t get to sleep without her late husband. It’s a lovely thought and a story that certainly has its bumps, but it got me to thinking if I would do the same. Can’t think of anyone I’d choose, and of course they’d have to go along with two little dogs that have pretty much staked out the bed. And does he fart? (I’m sure Redford didn’t, of course, LOL!) Do I snore? (Rob calls it purring…because of course he does).

So this year, Christmas will be different: he arrives around 3 pm and we’ll have a smoked turkey instead of a roasted one, then watch Sense and Sensibility on Netflix instead of laughing with family or friends. Maybe one day we’ll be invited to do that again (as we were last year in Palm Springs) but for now, it’s just the two of us. Instead of presents, it’ll be presence, and the warmth of the holidays will be condensed to one spot, two people, a pair of dogs and a lot of warm memories.

Oh, and cuddling. Lots of cuddling.