by Val Noonan, Executive Director
Here we are in December, the weather is cooler or sometimes downright frigid, our winter outerwear has made its way out of hibernation, and everyone is bundled up to ward off the cold. We are now preparing for the upcoming holiday season and hoping that we will once again be able to celebrate in person with our family and friends.
Hounsfield Heights-Briar Hill Community Association President, Terry Wong, has been elected as Councillor for Ward 7. Terry has stepped down from his role as President at HHBH, to assume his new position at City Hall. Hounsfield Heights-Briar Hill Community Association and Board of Directors would like to congratulate Terry and wish him all the best in his new role.
Christmas has to be my favorite holiday of the year; the beautifully colored twinkling lights on all of the homes, the decorations; there isn’t much about Christmas that I do not like, and I must admit that I am probably a “hallmark” movie junkie. Oh, I know they are all so formulaic, and that if you “have seen one, you have seen them all”. But what is there not to like, usually someone falls in love – the rush of adrenalin, the sense of excitement and anticipation, the hopes and dreams for the future – all wonderful feel-good emotions – what’s not to like about that? The locales in these movies are usually so beautiful and picturesque – the soft and gentle falling of huge snowflakes – the ones you want to catch on your tongue or to throw yourself to the ground and make snow angels in – what’s not to like about that?
As much as I try to watch the movie and appreciate the holiday spirit it is trying to evoke, I find that I can not suspend belief, and I see the reality; that the movie snow is artificial, the huge snowflakes are being pummelled into the eyes of the actors by wind-making machines, the snow on the ground is usually a cotton batting material that looks great around a miniature Christmas village, but not so much on the floor of a movie studio.
But then, I remember my favorite December, seeing the soft and gentle falling of huge snowflakes – the ones you want to catch on your tongue, I put on my coat and go outside – I twirl around with my nose pointed to the sky, mouth open, and tongue stuck out, I throw myself to the ground (well, throw might be a bit of a stretch, maybe a crouch, crawl, and roll would best describe my athletic prowess) to make a snow angel (although I am wondering if I broke anything with my spectacular snow-flop, and how I am going to get up now that I am down here; suddenly there is a hand offered – and the wonderful feel-good emotions envelop me) a real life “hallmark” moment – what’s not to like about that?
Go out and make your own “hallmark” moment – love one another, be kind, and be a snow angel for one of your neighbours.
Merry Christmas from everyone at Hounsfield Heights-Briar Hill Community Association.
