I have been lax with my blogging, particularly the writing part. I plan on being more with it in the New Year.
I posted this post several years ago. It speaks to what I feel about Christmas and what I feel we have lost as it has become more commodified each year.
I recall cold winter nights, almost minus 40 at night. My bedroom window was almost completely frosted over. On moonlit nights, the light kept me awake or that is what I told others.
To give you a sense of how sound travels in the cold, when we are at the farm during the winter, I hear the train (about a mile away) and it sounds like it is coming through the house.
Growing up in Northern Alberta, the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) and Christmas were a big part of growing up and it was not just their light show. I heard and saw them, dancing and crackling in the night sky. I thought the sky talked to me.
During Advent, my mom and older brothers walked across the street for evening Mass. The younger ones, including me, went to bed. I did not fall asleep right away and watched out the window. I thought no one saw me, but my Mom would come up and tell me to go to bed.
Small children–
Breathlessly awaiting,
Peering through frosted window
Soaking it in.
Heavens rippling–
Lights undulating;
A celebratory fury
An indisputable guide.
This old house speaks;
Nature answers–
Heavens crackle
Sweet symphonic sounds shimmering.
Earth’s floor–
Blanketed in white
Celestial colours speaking
Capturing young senses.
A vivid winter scene,
A sensual, sensory palette,
Reminding us–
Christ’s Mass is here.
ivonprefontaine
Teacher as Transformer 
May you feel all the love and joy I have for you throughout this festive season and all year round. Having you as my friend brings me great joy.
Thank you Mihran. Take care and have a wonderful and blessed Christmas.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays 🎄🎅🎁
Thank you Anjali. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours.
🎅🎁💖🎄
A beautiful post, Ivon. I do not recall having read it before, and I appreciate it very much now. Blessings to you and yours in this season of holy days.
Thank you Carrie. Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas.
Merry Christmas Ivon.
Leslie 🙂
Thank you Leslie. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
🙂
Beautiful. Merry Christmas!
Thank you Bonny. Have a Merry Christmas.
Thanks so much, Ivon, for this enchanting poem and photo, sharing the incredible beauties of the past and present. Merry Christmas to you, and I hope the undulating lights that you have witnessed, and other incredible beauties of life on earth are with you always.
You are welcome Jet and thank you. As long as we carry memories with us, we carry incredible beauty with us. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Merry Christmas.❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Laleh. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
🎅🎅🎅❤️
Merry Christmas, Ivon!
Thank you Matthew. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
I can’t even imagine -40 degrees, or the beautiful sky. Very different world. You must have been a cute and sweet boy. 🙂 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
I could be a handful, but I think that is the turf of childhood to some extent. We do not experience many -40 degree days, even in Alberta. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. May the Northern Lights greet you often.
Thank you Peggy. I look forward to the Northern Lights greeting me often. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
This is a time for childhood memories and heartwarming times. Thank you Ivon fo sharing today 💛
You are welcome Val. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Thanks for sharing Ivon. I look forward to you writing more in the new year. Merry Christmas.
Thank you Kelly. I am looking forward to writing more in the New Year. Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas.
Merry Christmas Ivon, Blessings!
Thank you Ann. Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas.
Thanks Ivon!
It’s hard to imagine having those beautiful sights as part of your life on a regular basis. Did you always realize what a spectacular world you were part of or did you learn to appreciate it when looking back in later years? You described it so well!
I think I learned to appreciate what I experienced as taken-for-granted. When it happened less often and experienced the Northern Lights, it was like I did so as a new event.
Merry Christmas to you and all your readers.
Thank you Shimon. Have Blessed Holidays.
Merry Christmas
Thank you Sharon. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Thanks for sharing. Happy Christmas to you and all close to you
You are welcome Roy. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Thank you.
Beautiful. Merry Christmas Ivon!
Thank you David. Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Ivon. (,,^・⋏・^,,)
Thank you Patricia. Have a wonderful and Blessed Christmas with those close to you.
Many thanks, Ivon.（*’∀’人）
I have not written but a few times this year.
Stress swallow creativity whole.
It is better to go deep than shallow. Here is a smile.
Thank you so much! I am smiling in return!
A lovely and evocative offering. Many thanks. I always enjoy your writing.
Thank you Pujakins. Have a wonderful New Year.
May the love and joys of Christmas follow you through a blessed New Year, Ivon!
Thank you Bette. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and wish you the very best in 2019.
A lovely post, and poem, Ivon. I wish you a happy and healthy new year.
Thank you. Have a wonderful and fruitful 2019 Tiny.
Beautiful post. Excellent one. Very realistic truth. I always enjoy going into your post and some how attracted to your natural expressions, I feel. Happy and All the Best, sir.
Thank you Lvsrao. Have a wonderful and fruitful 2019.
Thank you, sir. Happy New Year. Wishing you Happy, Healthy & Spiritually Meaningful 2019.
Wishing you a beautiful New Year 🎉😊
Thank you Christy. Have a wonderful and bountiful 2019.
Thank you, Ivon.
Happy New Year!
Thank you. Have a wonderful and bountiful 2019.