Nick Careen greeting

Nick sent me this greeting from newfoundland. He is no stranger to Ring and I remember a very interesting evening out in Ring a few years back with Nick and a group from that part of the world. His thoughts echo my own exactly....thought you might like them. The picture here is of St. John, by Lacey Abbott http://www.charitylinkrealty.ca/cityprofiles/St.%20John's/index.jspe The two below courtesy of newfoundland & Labrador Tourism. Just thought I'd add them to Nick's piece.


Folks,

While looking for an appropriate Christmas card to go with the present I had for an old friend of mine in the hospital in St. John's the other day, I couldn't find either one depicting the true meaning of Christmas. All I saw were Christams cards stating seasons greetings, happy holidays ,etc. I was on my way to St. John's empty handed and was thinking about how times have changed. Some changes were good and others such as the extreme advocates of political correctness would have us believe, have made societal improvements. The latter have done a number on Christmas.

While driving I thought of times past with family and friends who are no longer with me. At 62 I can still hear my late Grandfather Nick Careen telling me as a small boy, "the older you get Nickie boy, the more people you'll know in the graveyard. "Sad and bad times and good times. I've been lucky. The latter by far outweighing the bad and the sad.

Christmas was pure magic. Oh yes, the anticipation of a child and Santa Claus was there but the manger and the promise of Christmas was always present. A sense of happiness flooded your very being. You felt giddy and were satisfied with your lot in life. You were more helpful, you saved your pennies to get small gifts for your parents. Even without money you made spiritual bouquets for loved ones. There were smells to Christmas that are absent now. Everyone seemed to be glad to see you. Old ones and young ones , family and friends , slight acquaintances and strangers were quick with wishing you a Happy Christmas. Their smiles and grins somehow went further than their teeth. Not Merry Christmas but Happy Christmas. As my late mother told me when i was very young, "we say Happy Christmas, it's the English that say Merry Christmas."

Through the years Christmas has had a special meaning to me. From childhood, growing up , getting married, having my own children, they in turn bringing grandchildren into the world have all contributed to my happiness. More little ones anticipating Christmas. All finding out what it's like to give and receive.

After the events of shopping at malls, fighting traffic, standing in long lineups at cash registers are done and you feel like Scrooge before the three ghostly visits. Constanly hearing that Christmas is not what it used to be and that it's only a scheme to make the merchants richer. Christmas catalogues used to arrive in the late fall, now they are delivered in late August or early September. Christmas is worn out before it gets here. Through it all there are thoughts continuing of times when some family members and friends were still alive and how they contributed to my life, really help to alleviate the annoyances of todays shopping and negative remarks. Family and friends still alive make me glad that I can hug those closest to me and phone or e-mail others such as yourselves to wish you a very Happy Christmas and to wish you all the best of what the New Year 2008 has to offer.

When i worked on the coastal boats around Newfoundland and Labrador an old sailor friend of mine dead these many years from Bonavista Bay used to say, "If you are satisified , and the key word is satisfied with good health, a tight roof, a good heat and a bit to eat, you got it knocked." No matter how you say it, Happy Or Merry, Seasonal or Happy Holidays, Joyeux Noel, Feliz Navidad or Nollaig Shona Duit, I hope you all have a very nice and safe and healthy Christmas. All the best to all your houses.

Nick
Following from Phil Organ in Fletcher N.C USA

Eddie,

Just finished looking at the blogspot for Ring and it's very very nice. I was interested in the bit about Montserrat in the Carib as I used to go there on business as well as to St. Jon in Newfoundland. The developmet of Motserrat in the past few years was being done primarily by Canadians who make up a large portion of the population. Interesting.

Regards,

Phil