It’s over for another year: the month that can be so hurried that we struggle to maintain the sense of quiet and appreciation for the Reason for the season, the days that can be so difficult for those dealing with loss, and yet that magical time when we can’t help but be captivated by the magic of Christmas.
Gerry and I did something yesterday that neither of us have done for a very long time: We went ice skating! It’s been twenty-some years since Gerry skated, and thirtyish for me, but it seemed our bodies remembered how to skate. We didn’t break any bones or receive any bruises, (in fact neither of us fell), we just had pure skating fun!
In Canada and Great Britain the day after Christmas is known as Boxing Day and, in the provinces I grew up and lived in, it is a statutory holiday. Since we moved to the US I’ve continued to observe Boxing Day as a holiday so today I’m officially taking a vacation day from work.
I’ve always loved Boxing Day–some years more than Christmas Day. For us it has been a quieter day spent with books, the traditional Christmas jig-saw puzzle, feasting on leftovers, and playing with treasures that Christmas brought. For some, Boxing Day has morphed in some places to a giant shopping day similar to what the day after Thanksgiving looks like in this country. I continue to maintain a firm grip on my day of relaxation after Christmas.
Unfortunately Gerry is back in the office today so the girls and I are home alone. I’ll be taking down the Christmas decorations (another change from how we did it in Canada when New Years Day was the day we put away all of the holiday decor), puttering around the house, and spending time curled up with the book I started yesterday, Stephen King’s Under the Dome.
It’s been years since I read anything by King but I was prompted to check out a sample of this book on my Kindle when I read that it was going to be broadcast as a TV series sometime in 2013. The sample I downloaded hooked me immediately and I’m in for the long haul now. King’s writing is, as always, superb.
I leave you today with a somewhat-blurry photo of Gerry’s ice skates. He bought these when he fourteen-years-old with money he saved from his paper route. He’s kept them all these years and skated with them yesterday. Is that cool, or what?
I hope your Christmas was magical and that you have a wonderful Boxing Day–whatever it looks like for you!
Hi Linda and a happy Boxing Day to you. Why is it called Boxing Day? Does it have to do with the sport of boxing or “boxing” up your Christmas gifts? Or…? Just curious.
I love that you and your hubby went ice skating and his antique skates are so cool.
You know, I’m not sure of the reason for it being called Boxing Day, Grace. Wikipedia says it may have originated from a British custom where tradespeople collected boxes of money/gifts on the day after Christmas as thanks from their employers. Sounds good to me!
How fun! (and brave)
Love the ‘antique’ skates!!!
Brave is right, Denise. Truth be told, I was afraid I’d break some bones!
Believe it or not, my husband has his ice skates from his teens as well, and that’s been over 60 years ago! Glad you had such a wonderful day yesterday, and trust the new year brings you more relaxation than not. 🙂
My husband will be pleased to hear he’s not the only one who has saved his skates all these years. I think his attachment to them may have something to do with the fact that he worked hard to save the money to purchase them. A good lesson for us today, yes?
You’re braver than I am! Glad you had fun on skates.
The only Stephen King’s book I’ve read is On Writing. I did as he suggested. After finishing my manuscript (I’m writing a book on surviving state 3 pancreatic cancer), I put it aside for 6 weeks. When I picked it up again, I instantly saw what needed to be changed. If it works for Stephen King, maybe it will work for me!
Enjoy the new book.
Gayle, I’m looking forward to reading your book when you finish it. I know you’ve got a story worth telling.
If Boxing Day includes feasting on leftovers then we may be celebrating Boxing Week. You’ll be unlikely to ever find me skating. Last time I tried was about 30 years ago and judging from that time doing it now could result in very serious injury. No, not me, no skating.
LOL, Arlee! Better safe than sorry then! Feasting on leftovers is one of my favorite ways to celebrate Boxing Week. Happy New Year to you!
Happy, healthy, and creative 2013 Linda!
I too love ice skating, but I haven’t skated for 30 plus years and the ice seems like it would be harder to hit these days.
I too love Boxing Day. Can you believe that anyone would want to SHOP?
Cheers,
Sharon