To those that celebrate it, Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays and Season’s Greetings to those that don’t, or follow faiths too numerous to mention.
As I write, blizzard conditions are sweeping across the continental U.S. and Canada. Here, we have power lines and trees down, our doors are blocked with drifted snow and there is flooding as well. The forecast is for it to get colder, and deeper, and the wind to increase. Many thousands in this burg alone have no power or heat. Multiply that across Canada and the U.S. and it’s a heck of a problem. Cars stranded or crashed. Infrastructure to rebuild.
But we are still the lucky ones. We have roofs over our heads and blankets to wrap ourselves in. My thoughts go to those that don’t. This storm may and probably will literally be the death of them. Shelters, even if they are open right now, only hold so many. Assuming they can be reached in this weather, on foot. But there are so many more out there, living rough in the woods or out of town.
With this gloomy thought in mind, for all the inconvenience this weather brings, I still consider myself fortunate. I have a loving wife that puts up with me. I still haven’t figured out why. A house with a roof (at least for now, let’s see how this storm goes) and food in the fridge. We have power and heat. No complaints here. This weather will pass, and most of us will emerge on the other side with great stories to tell. Some won’t.
With that thought planted in your head, my wonderful wife and I would like to wish all and sundry that read this a Merry Christmas (happy holidays, whatever) to everyone out there in this big, wide, wonderful world.
Stay warm, stay safe, and above all stay cool. This too shall pass.
