Skip to main content

Tis’ the season

 

#respecttheoldseekoutthenew2022

"Maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store. 
Maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more."

I still remember some of the Christmas gatherings we had as children. 
There were quite a few times when we would hop in the car and travel several hours to visit our grandparents, aunts and uncles, as well as our cousins. 
We use to really look forward to opening gifts on Christmas eve and/or on Christmas morning. 
Above all though, when I think back, the best part of the winter holidays was definitely spending time with one another.

The last Christmas we all spent together was in 2015 I believe.

As we've grown older and the family dynamics have changed (passings, relocations, marriages, babies, job commitments, goals and dreams...), Christmas gatherings have become more challenging and unfortunately less frequent. 

This holiday season, I could've remained in Dubai, as I've done on a few prior occasions, or of course I could have travelled to a new destination on my 'wish list', but I decided that ultimately, I just wanted to spend some time with family...and relax!

First, I headed to Canada where I got to spend time with my parents, as well as my youngest brother, sister-in-law and niece. I also had the opportunity to catch up with a close friend, watch lots of Christmas movies, do a few low-intensity gym sessions and 'enjoy' the colder weather with a dusting of snow.

My parents and I.

My brother, sister-in-law and niece opening gifts.

I was hoping for a white Christmas.

Next, I made my way to Germany to visit with my other brother and his family. While I was  there, I was lucky enough to catch 2 of his hockey games, which is something I have missed quite a bit while living abroad the last 10 years.

My brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephew after an epic hockey game.

Landshut, Germany.

Busy bodies.

It wasn't a whole family gathering like we once knew, nor was it a typical holiday for me, as I would usually want to keep myself super busy and do lots of exciting things, but believe it or not, I truly enjoyed the break from my usual routine, the 'down time' to rest, reflect, reset and recharge, and of course all the moments spent with each of my family members.

"Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!"

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Living Outside The Box

"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I believe I’m on the path I’m meant to be." As we get older, it’s easy to get trapped in society’s idea of what life "should" look like. By the time we hit 40, there’s a well-defined picture of success: owning a home, starting a family, climbing the career ladder. But as I approach this milestone, I’m choosing to remind myself that true happiness isn’t found in checking off someone else’s list. It’s found in stepping outside the box, embracing the unexpected, and allowing life to unfold in its own unique way. Sure, my path hasn’t always been conventional, and I’ve often found myself comparing my journey to others, wondering why I’m not where they are. But when I take a step back and reflect, I see how much I’ve gained by stepping off the well-worn road. Life may not have gone according to plan, but I’m proud of the unexpected milestones I’ve reached along the way. I’ve traveled to over 40 countries, lived in three (ye...
Post a Comment
Read more

The runner in me

“Mind over miles.” A few years back, I was all in. I was that person signing up for every race that came across my radar—10K’s, half-marathons, marathons—you name it. The thrill of crossing the finish line, the camaraderie at the starting line, the way the crowds cheered you on, it was all so energizing. I didn’t even need music to get through a run, even a whole 42km marathon, which, I know, sounds crazy to most people. But there I was, in my zone, taking it all in and doing something I enjoyed. I collected lots of medals and racked up plenty of podium finishes, but most importantly I had some memorable international races, and met tons of amazing people along the way. I discovered that running was a really accessible sport; all you needed was a pair of shoes and the will to go. I could literally show up to a race, put one foot in front of the other, and—boom—be part of a community of people all working toward the same goal. So, what happened? Why did I stop running? For me, it came d...
Post a Comment
Read more

Locked in.

“ The successful warrior is the average (wo)man , with laser-like focus. ” Life’s been feeling a little dull lately, but there’s one thing keeping me fired up; the experience of a lifetime is just around the corner. In just four weeks, I’ll be heading to Chicago to compete in the Hyrox World Championships, and I’m locked in. For many competitive and athletic kids, the dream is to make it to the Olympics or stand on a world championship stage in their sport. While Hyrox may not be the Olympics, for me, this is kind of that moment. This is my ‘world stage’; I can’t wait to soak it all in and add it to the list of things I’m proud of. This idea sort of started on my 40th birthday this year. While most people celebrate with a party and cake or a getaway, I made a wild choice: I booked my place in the Hyrox World Championships with my doubles partner. Bold? Definitely. Crazy? Probably. Worth it? Without a doubt. The last time I pushed myself this hard was back in 2019 when I trained for a C...
Post a Comment
Read more