Christmas Spirit

This has been a different year for us. For many reasons, it was a year we don't want to repeat. It's probably no wonder that I was having a hard time finding my Christmas spirit. Ted was so concerned that he took me out on a driving tour to find rose-hips and bittersweet berries to brighten our fireplace's mantle.

I was looking forward to the Kaleidoscope Youth Art and Craft Market in Camborne. It has become one of my favourite Christmas Season activities. Guaranteed to put a tired soul into the Christmas Spirit. Would it work this year?

If you came across this charming schoolhouse with its windows all aglow, wouldn't you wonder what is happening inside?

Peeking closer, you'd see Christmas lights and swags of cedar hanging in the windows.

If you ventured inside this one room schoolhouse, you would be transported to a delightful world that dozens of home-schooled youth and their parents created for their friends and family. A world where frogs dressed up in blue cover-alls and other creatures wore their finest floral dresses.

Each year this show and sale gets better. Every family's table is unique. Kids and their parents prepare for this event months. They decide what they want to make for this year's sale. If they need to, they learn a new skill so they can make their contribution to the sale. Can you see the excitement and pride in these two sweeties' faces? The shortest reindeer came home with me. It's now on our mantle, under the red rosehips and bittersweet berries. It seems to be happy there.

Eleanor did a fine job of moulding beeswax candles. Our sponsor today? The sweet smell of beeswax. Can you imagine it?

There were so many friends to visit with that Ted and I went our separate ways for a while. When I re-joined him, he needed my help. This little sweetheart with a very soft voice was trying to answer his questions about the kitties she made. Only, deaf man that he is, he could not hear her. Despite his leaning down to her and her reaching up to him, he still could not hear what she was saying. My ears still work and Ted went home with a pink kittie.

This year, all of the students and their parents dressed in historical clothing. It seems that every year, they figure out another layer of interest for this show.

I couldn't pass these dolls by. One came home with me. You will see her later.

The young lady - the one who created the frog wearing blue cover-alls - told Ted how she is taking commissions for similar dolls. And, why not? Expanding your sales to the rest of the year. This event is such good learning - building skills transferrable to the rest of their lives.

I wish I could have bought something from everyone there.

I was sad to leave the room. But, I think I left with more than what was in my two brown paper bags. I think I left with that warm feeling that you get when you are in the same space as friends and neighbours who you love and admire.

There was a lot of love and there were a lot of hugs in that room.

And, is that not the Christmas Spirit?

And, this little lady will always remind me of the gift I received today.... the Christmas Spirit.

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.

Hamilton Wright Mabie