2022  –  MERRY CHRISTMAS

**this is in iambic heptameter… singable to “sing-a-song-of six-pence”  i.e.

**Stay in touch hilts.ptbo@gmail.com … more at rwhilts.wordpress.com

“Twenty-twenty two” has come, but now it’s nearly done!
A few brief clouds have drifted past, diminishing our sun;
Yet it is the sunny days …noteworthy happy times,
which I’d like to focus on while keeping with the rhymes!

Rambling on’s a tendency I’m planning to forgo…
Will I be successful? I guess, quite soon, we’ll know!
And there may stanzas where ideas seem disjointed,
But I’ll make it factual! You won’t be disappointed.

Once upon a time, before the onset of pandemics,
And before the overflowing hospitals and clinics…
Barb and I lived simply; we were healthy, strong and steady!
Gratefully, when Covid caught us up, we both felt ready.

Rapid testing often, we’d avoided it for years…
No one’s safe from falling victim, so it now appears!
Back on track now, thankfully, no long term ill effects,…
We concede how fortunate we feel in those respects!

COVID’s rather ugly side, we all have seen first hand…
Halt! Enough! I’ll focus now on normal stuff, as planned!
There is just one draw back, and it’s tricky to dismiss…
Most of us still wonder what the brand new normal is!

Barb and I feel strongly, that when life hands out it’s worst,
We can stand as family! Yes, family comes first!
Lemonade from lemons is my favoured attitude…
Daily life is better when it’s filled with gratitude!

Medical concerns would bring us challenges anew!
Bits of what I say now may seem personal, it’s true,
If I share some confidential items in this session,
Rest assured we trust our friends to read on with discretion!

Back in March, Barb went to Sealy’s Cove for seven days!…
Spending time with Pat and Helen, where she always stays.
Her discomfort grew while flying back home on the plane…
We would need to research just what’s causing all the pain!

It became quite obvious; Barb’s hip was out of whack!
Surgery was planned: they also found a pelvic crack!
All went smoothly, as they fixed the socket and the ball…
Barb decrees “no more, I’m done with hip joint overhauls!”

Barb learned how to navigate at home with crutch and cane…
I would offer TLC… not once did she complain!
Barb has independence back, well nearly, we report!
We send thanks! So many friends have shown love and support!

Getting back to teaching music lessons, and routines,
Schedules prioritized with nap times? By all means!
Barb’s rejoined a flute choir, their next concert should be fun…
Flutes & handbells, sadly though, you’ve missed it! It’s all done!

In October, Luna, our retriever did turn three.
There is no denial: she completes the family!
Luna favours daily walks, exploring every smell…
All that walking, I suppose, helps keep me fit as well!

Thinking back to summertime, we took two weeks to camp…
Not too hot with mostly sun: the odd day wet and damp.
I’d watch, daily, as Barb swam across the lake and back!
Still pre-surgery… alas, no hikes and no kayak!

Highlighting the Quinn lake time, there came a big surprise!
With a little prearranging, …and a few small lies…
Our sweet children gathered with a plot they had invented…
Mamma’s Birthday Bash! A nearby cottage had been rented!

We all celebrated; nearly everyone was there.
Food and games, and wine of course, completed the affair!
I did not go swimming, as it meant a gruesome walk!…
There were ninety-plus steps, on the stairway to the dock.

Songs around a fire pit can warm you, through and through…
Let me add, some Nana-Papa time is special too!
Maybe now I’ll take a sec to test your memory…
As I list off names in our delightful family tree!

Couple number one: our eldest, James and Jocelyne,
They are in Orillia, and we see them now and then.
As Emile, Olivier and Elouise grow tall…
We both worry! Soon we might be shorter than them all!

Couple number two, that would be Katherine and Ryan!
Drop by frequently, which makes us happy; I’m not lyin’!
 William, and his sister Zoe, come here on a whim…
Both at home in water, so they’ll drop by for a swim!

Living in Toronto, with its challenges and conflicts,
Couple number three: of course, it’s Angela and Alex…
Baby Levi offers a delightful focal shift…
Every parent, surely knows: a child is such a gift!

Also in Toronto, we have couple number four!
Clara, with dear Erin. Nearly done now. Just one more
Sable is their toddler! That concludes my name refresher.
There may be a quiz when I conclude! Relax, no pressure!

There are also pets, the names of which I have not listed…
Tempting, but since stanza space is prime, I have resisted!
Don’t delightful doggy days deserve due recognition?!<br>Luna's my exception, and my best allitertion!

This year had some happy times; some other moments stank!
Should I keep on being vague, or should I just be frank?
Some say being frank can put a troubled mind at ease…
I’m not sure who says that, since there are no guarantees!

Angie and her family would need a brand new place…
Mostly, since the one they had was rather short on space!
With apartment scarcity, and rental rates obscene,
They’d stay here and work online: house hunting in between!

Alex’s parents had space too, so in the fall, they moved…
With a new job too, their prospects, slightly, had improved!
Plus, with weekend gigs and on-line lessons now resuming…
They have hopes of moving forward… so I am presuming!

Some humongous choices came for James and family…
So, a leave of absence was submitted formally!
Off to Europe and beyond, all five of them would skip…
Ready for adventure, on this health- related trip!

I can’t fill you in, for this is not my tale to tell…
I can merely pass on news, that treatments did go well.
Mexico was great; they may go back in ‘23…
Well, if they do go, perhaps they’d like some company!

Videos of babes are texted weekly, by the dozen…
Documenting life with Sable and Levi, her cousin!
Clara would agree with us as Erin would, no doubt…
Sable helps define what motherhood is all about!

On another job assignment, Ryan will embark!
I’m told this new company has long-desired his spark,…
I can also mention that their logo is a Beaver!
Looks like Ryan’s caught some patriotic Canuck Fever!
,
Here in town we’re overjoyed, with Kat and crew on hand…
We can always find support, when things don’t go as planned!
Sometimes taking care of Luna… sometimes making meals!
Summing up, we truly know how ‘down-right-happy’ feels!

Christmas must remain a time to count up every blessing…
That is true for us and true for most of you, I’m guessing!
Sharing yearly ventures warms my heart, with each review…
We send love, as always – Merry Christmas… to you!