In addition to planning and shopping for the big day, and
trying to keep in touch with people we don't have time for the
rest of the year, the days before Christmas are full of
memories. Some happy, some sad.
This is the season of Christmas ghosts. I buried my Christmas
demons long ago but I still remember them as if they were
yesterday. My high school boyfriend dumped me at 11:45 am
Christmas Eve 1972. A few years later, my fiancé and I called
it quits Dec. 23, 1979.  Needless to say those Christmases
were not merry.
I also remember the Christmas Eve I went for a bike ride on my
new 10-speed bike. (My brother and I shared one bike.) One year
I opened and re-wrapped all my presents when no one was home.
Another year I came down with a violent flu and spent Christmas
in bed.
As a cub reporter I worked several Christmases. One year I
followed Santa on his visit to the hospital. Another year, a
family's presents were destroyed in a fire. This was the year
of the Cabbage Patch doll. My ex-fiancé had given me a similar
hand-made doll a few years early. I delivered it to the family
for their little girl. The doll made her happier than it ever
did me.
I no longer expect Christmas to be the most wonderful day of
the year. I keep the holidays as simple as possible, and I find
I enjoy them much more.
For many years, the Gilhula extended family celebrated
Christmas on Boxing Day. After my father died in 1976, the
family get-together was downsized and held before Christmas.
The Christmas of 1976 was a hard one for my immediate family.
My father had died in May, and my grandfather had died the year
before. It was easy to be preoccupied Christmas Day, but we
anticipated Boxing Day would feel like a black hole.
That year, my mother, sister and brother and I started a new
tradition. We went to the movies. The first Boxing Day movie we
saw was Popeye with Robin Williams.
At first, there weren't too many people at the movies on Boxing
Day, but now I find the theatre is usually full. I notice whole
families sitting together.
Over the years we've seen some good movies and other people
have joined us in this ritual.
Even though stores are open in southern Ontario on Boxing Day,
my family rarely goes near them. Last year, we went to see
Dreamgirls at the Devonshire Mall in Windsor. So we did do a
bit of shopping for an hour or so. I didn't find any bargains.
Personally, I am glad stores are closed in Greater Sudbury on
Boxing Day. I feel very sorry for people who have nothing
better to do than shop on this holiday. Shopping is not what
Christmas is about. I am very happy people who work in retail
can spend an extra day with family.
It took courage for our mayor to make the decision to close
stores Dec. 26. Sure, Sudbury is behind the times. But isn't
that what Christmas is all about. We long for the Christmases
just like the ones we used to know. Not the ones with plastic
decorations from China. Nor the ones with expensive gifts made
in Third World sweatshops.
Merry Christmas and Happy Boxing Day.
Vicki Gilhula is the managing editor of Northern Life.
