"Welcome to Christmas" photo compliments of Lise Miller (c) 2011
While most of us live provinces apart, some of my cousins and I are fortunate to be as close as brothers and sisters could ever really biologically be. My uncle (their father) was my mother’s brother and my aunt (their mother) is my father’s sister. If you put us in a room together, you would assume us all brothers and sisters.
One of these cousins is one of my favourite cousins (they are all favourites but for different reasons.) I had the good fortune of spending a few years of childhood growing up near him and then he lived here on the west coast briefly when I was a teenager. During his time in BC, he actually defended me and my honour in a situation with my then boyfriend. That’s just the kind of good guy he is. He returned to his Ontario roots and eventually married one of the loveliest women I have ever known.
While I have yet to meet her in person, we have corresponded for years via email, Facebook, etc and I feel like we are connected by both “family hip” and our woman-sister hearts.
This year, my dear cousin by marriage endured a very serious surgery and amid her grueling challenges, has always taken the high road. While many of the rest of us were engaged in squabbles, differences and polarizations born of matters so small as to be but a speck in the grand scheme of things, this lovely woman continued to post her often hilarious remarks, informing us of her healing journey and who she is in every communication.
Today, I would like to share, with her permission, just a little taste of who she is. Enjoy this peek into Christmas and the heart of this woman I have grown to so love. Thanks, Lise, for permission to share some of your lovely pictures, awesome woman! Merry Christmas to all who celebrate, Merry Everything to everyone!
"Reluctant Christmas Greeter" photo by Lise Miller (c) 2011
"Mr & Mrs Santa bring cookies!" photo by Lise Miller (c) 2011
"Christmas Manger" photo by Lise Miller (c) 2011
"Have a cookie while I put the kettle on..." photo by Lise Miller (c) 2011
"Gee, Ma, yet another Christmas portrait...sigh...okay then Merry Christmas Everybody!" photo by Lise Miller (c) 2011
Dec 18 2011
Your extended family member sounds like a wonderful woman! Thanks for sharing her with us.
She is! You’d love her, so warm and real. Just like you, my friend
Merry Christmas, Sylvia.
I so wanted those cookies with a nice pot of tea.
Yes! I know! I still do, LOL Ah, well. A little taste never hurt anybody though I would venture a guess that if we started on those particular cookies, we couldn’t stop at just one!
So very important to have those family connections that are healthy. Facebook and the internet is such a cool way to keep those bonds strong. I hope your cousin’s wife has a full and speedy recovery. Positivity and wit helps.
No kidding, positivity and wit, loving yours always, Totsymae
You know, I used to really detest technology and all the Facebook thing along with it but you are so correct. There is very good reason to not just love it but employ it to maintain our bonds. Thank you for the wishes to my cousin’s wife. If I know her, she’ll read them and appreciate them as she does every little blessing in her life. Merry Christmas to you, Tots, see you soon 
—Oh, I loved the photos & that gorgeous dog!
Can I have a cookie, please? Xxx
Oh, I know it about the dog, her name is Cash and every time I see a picture of her, I just want to give her a big hug. You too for stopping by, going to try to pass you a cookie now but be warned, mine are NOT home baked LOL LOL Happy Christmas, Girlie, big hugs xo
It’s amazing that with the click of a few plastic keys, we can be in someone’s else’s home with them even though they are on the other side of the country, or even the world. We can hear their clocks chime, listen to the laughter of their families in the background, we can see if they have tired eyes from a stressful day… We can actually sit across from a friend and have a cup of tea and chat, and forget that they are too far away. <3
Christine! I love this! May I use it with your credit, of course? You say so well what I was trying to in a piece I haven’t published yet, this would complete it perfectly! Loving your unique gift for expression big time.
Absolutely. I’d be honoured!
Thank you, sweetheart, will let you know as soon as it is done so you may read it!
Merry Christmas xo
When I read your remembrances about the holidays, I feel (uncharacteristically) in a more festive mood. That, my friend, is a testament to the heart from which you write!
Where would I be without all my lovely friends, your gracing the pages of my life with your presence is such awesome goodness! Thank you, Lorna, you have a special place in that heart of mine you understand so well
xo
It always feels good to be cheerful in whatever kind of situation one lies in. Aww Mr and Mrs Santa! Lol the photos are so cute! Thank Lise for letting us peek into her little world
Hopefully she will read this lovely comment you made herself, MD! Thanks for swinging by with your own unique brand of sweet cheer. Much love xo