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PAGE 4 _ WATERLOO CHRONICLE. WEDOESOAY, DECEMBER 21. 1996 MoetofdueprtLChnsunaseeasoncanbesummedupbywords lske hectic, frenzied, crazy, wild, exhausting. You get the picture - andnodoubthavebeenapanofit And for the most part, while we use those descriptions. they really are associated with fun times and events unique to this time of l at some of the best times the had this Christmas have been far away from the madding etowd, sitting comfortably in my u-DBoy, late at mght. warmed by Att ilicrerirq fire. . . . ' The chuckle Beth and I shared when young Chad paid his first nsxt to Santa, especially when hls well-rehearsed "Ho Ho" gave way to a desperate struggle to get off the old guy's lap. Great action shot. Jordan's glee at all celebrations Christmas-related, and his enthu- sxasm at breakmg Into carolmg at the drop of a hat. Almost out.of. character for our shy su-year-old. but we love every minute of it, even when he. uh, dendes to change the words to some of the songs. For Instance. dld you know In Deck the Halls. we don our gate apparel? And what wall Jose Feliciano have to say about Jordan's rendition of The Leafs Naudad, The Leafs Navidad, I want to null Counting my blessings. Yes, there is something about Christmas that prompts the pauses to teflet on our lot in life. what we have, wNsGrshareitwith,andhowthankfulweshouldtetorb4More than any other, I view thls as a tame for quiet contemplation. My thbughts on thaw late December nights have sdanned a range of emotions, Including the following.,, H _ _ _ _ - The enthusiasm of all those who have rediscovered the brilliance of outdoor Christmas lights, especially neighbors who have shown team” cooperation m creating thee efforts, _ _ _ _ you a Men-v Chrutinas at the bottom of your heart. Right now, I'd like to wash the Leafs Merry Christmas at the bomnn ofsomething . Beth's wonderful wspmt il, making Christmas (completely joyous ume for "her boys,' The good feebng you get muting with friends, and meeting new folks at street open houses _ _ _ _ _ .. Annmpatmg the Chnstmas classics and kids's specials on TV, and known; that no matter how many times we view them, theyll be Just as good as the last time. belong forward to attending church as a family Christmas Eve. Thinking of, and reaching out. to close personal friends. who, because of job kms, personal difficulties and general Circumstance. need no greater gift than the knowledge that they are not alone, and we are nght there With them every step ofthe way. We are, and we mll be Drew's every-other-day discovery of the Advent Calendar treat, and that both he and Jordan speak from the heart about the true meaning of Chnstmas. Chad, well give him another couple of years. The two thousand questwns I had no answer for last week when I couldn't get our natural tree to stand up. That's It. next year artifi, ual for sure," sad Beth. "You don't mean that," I said, proceeding to purchase a stand big enough to secure the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Some quiet times at Christmas, too The sadhess I feel for close 'work associates who have recently lost loved ones,andailotherswhohavetas,causingthisseasontobe more driricult to emoy _ _ The courteous and ever-helpful salespeople, who seem this year to be more full of Christmas vitality, especially when I'm toting three bags and an mfant in my arms. The pleasures of planrung our own Christmas goodies. in antici- paoon of friends and family. Sticking with some old traditions, and gomg to the edge mth untried mpes. Thoroughly enjoying a variety of Christmas favorites, now that we are no longer the only one on our block Without a CD player Yes, I've enjoyed these quart tunes of Christmas. And at the end of each of them, I offer my silent thanks. for the fanuly I love that loves me, the roofover my head, the bonds offhendship and the so many rewards of the life I have. Merry Christmas. gunman): worrying f the tob of pmdudng gravy for the turkey ml] fall to me agaln. Most people butcher the turkey. I butcher the gravy 7 ___ 7 _ _ A A Putting on a Santa hat and playing the part of Ol' St. Nick at last weeks company luncheon. cnnfirming my accepted status as nllage "hot. As a footnote to last week's column, the shindig lastnd a tad longer than 45 minutes. A tad Canadian! Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement #136379 Puhhxhed ever) Wednesday by The Fairway Group \ 1H meay Rd S , Kitchener, Ont. December 2L 199-: Waterloo Chronicle Tue life Rick Campbell 55:”... =ThuTil'rs ltiil,tss'i,l;',tii 746-1076 Complete Exhaust Service 355 Weber St” North Shock- t “at; . Coll Springs (muwmtmm) Egg-2395‘ wuwmmumwmm 'tiGiiGitoiamrfr_eert.t.yeeme"ee Ys your last chance at some great deals! Every 10 minutes a different store will have special items on sale, especially small gifts for stocking stuffers! COtttiiSrOtitt (Mill Monday-Friday 9:30 a.m.‘10:00 pmw Sgtarday 9:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Closed Christmas Day 8. Boxing Day. ’mmmwm 'x-,ctirntr"r4exrt"m Nun-IMMn Extended Mall Hours: f MR CARE SPECIALS " l 99,153“! - V tlt5N6tt tttttgt-ttg-ttt I A'tkllh'lkSlf ,1't1t'i"iirrit',iti?i'i-'t .1 - W190. m Wham 4m K