by Jane Britnell

Created on: February 28, 2009

Reflections: Christmas away from home

Sitting alone at my desk, trying to think of something positive to write home about to members of my family. But I can't think of anything to write about in my weekly report ha ha. It's the end of February and all I can think about is my childhood memories of Christmas so many years ago. To be honest many Christmases were spent far from home. I was either in the hospital for surgery or illness so I would be unable to be at home and enjoying the holidays and all its splendor.

There was one Christmas I will never forget for the rest of my life.

I was twelve years old, going home for Christmas for the first time in over eight years I was with my Kin.

about the age age of two or three my mother made a decision to surrender me to the care of the crown.

My mother felt very much alone with this decision. What more could she do?

I was a child with special needs who needed more time and resources than my family could provide.

And my mother had to consider my other brothers as well.

all three of us were under the age of five. Our father was less than stellar when it came to taking care of his children..He felt that it was my mother's responsibility for her to look after the home and children and he would bring home the bacon. He never considered difficulties my mother was having.

it was in a newspaper I believe it was either the Toronto sun or the star, I was receiving my first electric wheelchair from a fire department. My aunt was the first to show my picture to my mother and asked " isn't that Janie?" at least that's how I remember they told me it went down that way.

So that Christmas was the first Christmas I would spend with my family and never forget it for as long as I live.

Nothing mattered I had forgotten all the long and lonely times wishing I was able to go home.

Often I would cry out in frustration and anger because I was left behind. But that year my family would be doing all those things that most families do during the holidays. Popcorn string, Christmas music, and family visits so commonplace. But for me and my family, the very first place we met with the local meeting place.

One thing I remember about it is the pot belly stove in the middle of the room. And relatives where all around me I finally realized that I wasn't alone anymore. I had more than an attachment to these people. They were my family, and that's `all that mattered to me.

Today my family is spread out around Gods green acre I mean all over the place. It wasn't very often that my family gets together, but when they do, it is something to celebrate.

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