Christmas 2009 was different than previous years. Kendra was living in South Africa and far away from us on Christmas day. Also, Grandma W was having more difficulties due to her age which prevented us from having her to Mom and Dad's for Christmas. Still, the rest of us celebrated Christmas in true Hallman form...way too much food, noisiness and lots and lots of laughter. Oh yeah, there were definitely lots of presents and a phone call to Kendra.
The weekend before Christmas, the Listowel Mennonite Church presented Marketplace: An Advent Journey. When it stated back in the 1990s, it was held each year but now it is every other year. Each of us has been a participant at some point through the multiple productions. This year was the first year Liam had the opportunity to see what keeps Grandma so very very preoccupied the month leading up to Christmas. I was the lucky one that got to take Liam on his first advent tour. After waiting for two extremely long hours in the Church Auditorium, it was finally our turn to celebrate the "First Noel".
We travelled back in time and meet some very old biblical characters. We meet the Prophet Isaiah who foretold of Christ's birth. Mary and Elizabeth rejoiced in their shared excitement of being with Child. Then it was time to be counted by the Census Taker as we were approaching the "Little Town of Bethlehem". After a few moments of rest and relaxation at the Inn where we were informed that there was "no more room at the Inn" and that a young couple was being situated "Away in a Manger", we were then off to pay our taxes and enter "Royal David's City".And what to our wondering eyes in the marketplace were shops galore bartering everything from nuts, to rope to frankincense to olives to fish weavings. With our bag of 50 coins, we were able to peruse the marketplace looking for treasures resembling those from that time period. Mom was the organizer of the marketplace section of the tour. It was here that Liam decided that he was entitled to the "family discount" at the Weaving Shop. Man, did he try to barter. Shepherds came in search of a baby and guided us to the Manager where the young couple known as Mary and Joseph had just given birth to Jesus complete with sheep and Spanky the donkey, what "Friendly Beasts" they were. What a great way to celebrate the Christmas story. Liam went back on the Sunday evening and had just a great a time then as he did in the afternoon.
Winter flew by and before we knew it, spring had arrived. With spring came a great loss to our family. Grandma W, who was my last remaining Grandparent passed away. I can't believe it has been many many months since that last week of April when we said our last goodbyes to her. She is very much missed. Hard to believe that we can't pick up the phone to call her and tell her what we have been up to and to see how she is doing. As much as it was difficult for all of us here during her visitation and funeral, it was even more difficult for Kendra who was still living in South Africa. Thankfully, we were able to make a phone call to her about 12 hours before Grandma died and that she was able to share one last conversation with Grandma. I am ever so thankfully to have had 34 years with such a wonderful Grandma.
Seven people + two vehicles + whole bunch of maps= family vacation. Kendra was returning from South Africa to Akron, PA at the end of July and we, the entire family ventured down to pick her up. The family vacation was two-fold: pick up Kendra and to do some travelling around Pennsylvania and to Washington DC. Let's just say it was definitely challenging coordinating seven peoples' moods, needs and wants. Pennsylvania is the first North American ancestral home for both my mom and dad's families. The Webers(mom's side) arrived from Switzerland approximately in 1717 and the Hallman's arrived shortly thereafter from Germany. While the Webers settled close to the Lancaster Area, the Hallmans situated themselves closer to Philadelphia. On our trip, we were able to connect with my mom's cousins and their families in New Holland, PA and spent a wonderful evening of fellowship at the original Weber Farm. We were also, able to visit the family cemetery that day.
After spending several enjoyable days in the Lancaster area, home of the Amish and the best food around, we ventured off to Washington DC. What a contrast from the slower paced Lancaster County to the increased speed of the large metropolis of DC. Horse Buggies vs. Washington Metro...no comparison. Two days was not enough time to thoroughly soak in the history and vastness of the city. Yes, I paid homage to Lincoln and Washington, tried to visit the Obama's(they were not home or maybe they just didn't answer the door when I knocked), played an anthropologist with my mother at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and had to make a tough decision to cheer for either the Washington Nationals or the Philadelphia Phillies at a ball game. I got to see the gorgeous Hope Diamond, walk the National Mall in the rain, and last but not least, give a witness statement to the Washington Metro Police and Maryland Police. I wonder what ever happened to the cabbie.
On our way home, we were making another family pilgrimage to Trappe, PA...the home of Hallmans. Anthony Hallman, the first Hallman in North America, was part of building the first Lutheran Church in North America. We were in for a real treat that Sunday afternoon. The original church building is only used for services in the Summer and for Christmas Eve. As we arrived after the morning service, we had the opportunity to check out the interior of the Church. It was pretty amazing.
Family vacation over, time to settle into the last half of the year. Work, work and more work. Again, the months have flown by and now Christmas is on our door step yet again. It seems the older one gets, the faster the months fly by. Is it because we understand the concept of time, unlike young children who are oblivious to the 24 hour clock? Or is it our fast paced, jam packed lifestyle that we fall victim too that causes us to wish our time away. The complexities of being an adult in an ever increasing fast paced global community. We try to cram too many activities into too short a time span. No new hours have been added to the clocks yet we continue to add more and more activities to fill the time. So much gets lost in our fast paced shuffle. Oh to be a child some days.
As busy as the Christmas season is, I think that Christmas is a season of rejuvenation, hope, joy, peace, thanksgiving. and above all else love. We need to take some time for ourselves now because as soon as January 1st hits, we will be inundated with our New Year resolutions. Going to the Gym, finding a new hobby, refocusing priorities at work and family obligations. Christmas falls on the heels(more so for our American Neighbours) on Thanksgiving. I think the feeling of being thankful should extend year round but it seems the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, great focus is given to being thankful. What are you thankful for this year? Thankful you still have a job. Thankful you have good health. Thankful for your family and friends. Thankful that you have food to eat and a place to call home. Just listen to Josh Groban's song "Thankful" and you will be reminded how very "thankful" we should be. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2M0GQOgYGg&feature=related We are truly blessed to live in one of the most affluent countries in the world.
My challenge to you, is to reach out to someone in need and share your thankfulness at being so blessed. I, myself, am going to volunteer through work with the Salvation Army and participate in packaging up toy and food hampers for the less fortunate here in London. I am a little apprehensive yet excited to be doing this. Apprehensive because I have been warned how heart wrenching it is to see so many families that need this assistance. Excited because I know how generous Londoners are with donating toys and food for this program. This is my meagre way of giving to those less fortunate than myself. Step outside your comfort zone and share your gifts, talents and time. Think of all the Joy, Hope, Peace, Love and Thankfulness you are going to provide to others in this holiday season. What a truly wonderful world we live in and contribute to.
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