And Here is to Warm Memories of all those Love Ones in Our Lives Who Have Come and Gone
A Message from Doug Draper at Niagara At Large
Posted December 22, 2022
Well here we are – another Holiday Season and another ushering in of a new year with farewells to this one.
One of those wonderful natural areas that many of us have come to love visiting even more during the pandemic, and one that Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his Tories and pals in the development syndicate are all to willing to destroy
At this time of year, I do what so many of us do and wish most everyone I come into contact with a happy this or a merry that, with the jingling bells and Prancer and Dancer and all of the rest in mind.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not making light of it – not at all. It is meant sincerely and who doesn’t look back to their earliest memories as a child when the holiday season for most of us – though sadly, not all – was filled with brightly coloured lights and magic.
Yet as time goes by, the holiday season also becomes a time when our memories and thoughts drift back to all of those we have loved –humans and non-humans in our circle of family and friends – who have come and who, all too soon, have gone.
Not to belabour a loss I shared not so many days ago with Niagara At Large readers over a dynamic feline presence in my family named Alice, but it has triggered memories of all of the other human and non-human loved ones who are not here to gather around the fireplace this time of year.
.Two past members of the Draper family – brother and sisater Woody and Jessica – have been gone for too long but will always remain in our hearts. photo by Doug Draper
In that way, the holiday season – along with the happy and merry – can also be a sad and reflective one for at least some of us.
Two other beloved members of our family that past not so long ago – Dexter out front and Dylan.
It can also be a time of warm memories of the times we cherished with loved ones who have passed on.
In that spirit, I want to leave us all with a song that is in no way a traditional holiday season song, but I think it does touch a little on what I have been trying to say here. It is one of my favourite songs by one of Canada’s great singer/songerwriters Bruce Cockburn and it’s called “Coldest Night of the Year.” To hear it, click on the screen immediately below –
In the days ahead, Niagara At Large will continue posting news and commentary, although not as much as usual over the holidays because we all want a little time off
Wishing the best to all of you and hoping that as many of us as po9ssible are ready to fight back against our Ontario government’s assault on our environment and democracy in the new year.
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Doug Draper, Niagara At Large
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Doug, thanks so much for the warm wishes and for sharing pictures of your beloved felines. As one whose life is enriched by sharing a home with a Calico of great charm and unpredictable temperament, I understand what a privilege it is. And bless you for the Cockburn — I hadn’t seen this video before, and it expresses the song perfectly. Cockburn is one of our very favourite singer-songwriters…and “The Coldest Night of the Year” is just so quintessentially Canadian, with ironic humour taking the edge off melancholy. Have a wonderful holiday and a good rest, so you can continue to rouse us all to fight for the Ontario we want to see.
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To you & yours
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