The Chilliwack Progress from Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada • Page 32

I I 32 THE CHILLIWACK PROGRESS, Tuesday, December 16, 2003 The Progress Christmas Gift Guide 'I thought I would go mad' 1 AMi'CfiL- exchanged pictures of our children, changes of address, and even pictures of our houses. I also have a couple of snaps of her girls' weddings. I have never physically seen Evelyne and Mack since our tearful goodbye dock-side in Quebec City, but her Christmas card and little note mean a lot to me. Strangely enough, hers is usually the first card I receive each year. All he got for Christmas, was his one front tooth By Ralph Goddard Winner of the Production Award, one year subscription I was working on a ranch on the north side of the 'bench' in the Cypress Hills in Saskatchewan.

The owners had gone to Victoria for the Christmas season, and I was alone feeding and watering a big herd of livestock. Four days before Christmas, a large upper front tooth abscessed. I couldn't eat or sleep. I thought I would go mad! There was over a foot of snow and the closest dentist was 18 miles away in Maple Creek. Something had to be done so I got up at 4 a.m.

and chopped the water holes open, and spread some hay. Then I took the two, best saddle horses we had, and headed for town. When the dentist arrived, I was sitting on his porch. I told him my problem and asked him to pull the tooth out. He covered his same front tooth and asked me how he would look without it.

I had never thought of this so, an hour later, my offending tooth was not pulled, but drained and filled. This cost me $1 and, as I was leaving, he shook my hand and wished me a merry Christmas. That was the best Christmas present you could ever imagine. Christmas 1966 By Lilli Kehler My husband and I have celebrated 38 memorable Christmases together, but the one that probably taught me the most was the Christmas of 1966. Young, newly married, and highly idealistic, my husband and I had decided to do a year of volunteer service for The Mennonite Central Committee.

It was our desire to serve abroad, but when our assignment finally came through, "abroad" was Junior Village in Washington, D. C. Junior Village was an institution for homeless and neglected children, and with nearly a thou sand kids on campus, it really was "a village." Coming from a stable, middle-class home in small town, Manitoba, nothing had prepared me for the loneliness and suffering in these children's lives. Within a few weeks of arriving there, I began to feel very strongly that I was not cut out to work with needy children. There was just too much pain and heartache.

Three year old little Henry came to us, unable to walk, talk, laugh, or cry because his drug-addicted mother had left him lying unattended in his crib day after day; only taking him out long enough to feed him (when she remembered). Gwen and Lynn, five-year old twins, were two well-adjusted little girls whose mother was dying of cancer. When she finally passed away, the girls became adoptable. This was rare at J.V. and cause for rejoicing until we realized that everybody wanted Lynn, but nobody wanted Gwen because she was a polio victim with one withered leg.

And so it went. It was very difficult for me to detach myself emotionally from "my and after awhile, all that kept me balanced was the thought of going home for Christmas. I desperately needed a change, and if the truth be told, I secretly hoped that we wouldn't have to return to Junior Village! One of my favourites at the Village was Anna, a precocious, little, black, six-year old, with huge brown eyes. Several days before booking our flight to Manitoba, I excitedly told Anna about our Christmas plans. She became very quiet, and suddenly I saw a large tear roll down her cheek.

"What's the matter, Anna," I said gently, pulling her towards me. She sniffled for a few minutes, and then burst out, "But if you go away, who will go to the Christmas Eve service with me? Who will watch me open my presents on Christmas morning? Who will eat turkey dinner with me?" Who indeed! The skeleton staff that worked over Christmas were good people, but they were preoccupied with their jobs and eager to get home to their own families. My husband and I looked at each other over Anna's tightly braided, bowed head and knew we had to stay. How can I describe the magic of that Christmas? Organizations and generous individuals had donated stacks of brightly wrapped packages, and on Christmas morning, we helped distribute them to the kids. The day was filled with fun and laughter, and the love-starved hugs of a hundred "Anna's" dissipated the last of my homesickness.

Continued STORIES p36 CONTINUED frompll The boy comes over excitedly on the days that his mom has a good day and can take a few steps. He is so happy for her. I don't know what they need, because they would never tell you. The one thing I can think of that might help, is a volunteer cleaning lady and grocery shopper. The kids walk to do the grocery shopping or ride their bikes and, now that we are heading into cold and wet weather, this would help them all.

Their mom's scooter broke and she will not receive a new one for six weeks so, if someone could lend her one, it would make a big difference in their lives. Lastly Santa, I would ask people at Christmas time to not concentrate on when the glass is half empty. Instead, I'd ask they change their perspective a little, and consider the above story. It's not what you don't have, it's what you do have that counts. These kids have little materially, but their souls are full.

Keeping in touch is a powerful bond By llene Hoiland Winner of the Classified Award, one year subscription In May of 1957, my husband, infant son and I were returning home from a four-year posting in Germany with the R.C.A.F. We boarded ship in France and stoped in England to pick up passengers and headed across the Atlantic for the six-day trip to Quebec City. There were many service couples on board anxious to be back with' loved ones we had not seen for four years and we were having a great time. In England, several young immigrant couples joined us. They were scared and apprehensive as they set off alone to make a new life in Canada.

There was one couple who took a liking to my husband and me, and sought us out many times to ask questions about life in Canada She was French, and he Armenian. They were on their way to Hamilton, Ont. We became very friendly in six days and before bidding farewell dockside in Quebec City, we did exchange addresses. That Christmas I was thrilled to receive a Christmas card from Evelyne and hear her news about their new life in Canada On December 1, 2003, I received my 46th Christmas card from that same friend I knew only six days! Over the years, we have Ciirfstiiifls if Sat, Dec. 13 toW 10 I Dec.

24 frv ,0 UfTf Real Aerosol yyJ II rl llllll Whipped IsT15 mnize Draws! Enter To Win: lW rTSr I DVD Player lMH Teddy Bear 0 Gift Certificate 9fPl 1 Name: bu6 hav fresh I at dfc'S'SSt 1 JlfJT'ft Please bring this -s Ar entry form t0 our uAS Ml (yP store by 1:00 5Q.