Speaking of gifts, I have to say that I have been getting a lot of mail lately. (Did I ever mention we finally got the key for our mailbox?!) Bless my cousin Amy's heart - she sent me a cute little card for Christmas. For her information, I have displayed it proudly on top of my Xbox in my bedroom! I have also received a card from Auntie Barb, my Grandpa and Grandma Hawkins and my Grandma McKane! I feel so popular these days. The crazier part is that I have been receiving lots of parcels this week too! Each person of my wonderful family, Dad, Laura, Shea and Rita - sent me an incredible box filled with several beautifully wrapped gifts to put under my tree. I feel much more than spoiled. They were all so thoughtful and sweet to put together such a brilliant box of presents for their kid out in BC. :) It was very touching to receive such a parcel and I even got teary-eyed just by looking at the names signed on the gift tags. When I looked at each wrapped present, I was picturing each one of you... and I was finally hit with the reality that I won't be there with you to share Christmas. This gesture really made me feel like I was still part of the gang and I happily put them in a special place beneath the tree so I can feel you with me in spirit on Christmas morning. I am even still fighting the urge to tear just thinking about you guys. I felt that way by each letter, card, package etc. that I have received from everyone back home. It's so thoughtful of you all and it really means a lot to me to see a piece of you out here in Kelowna. When I got home from work today, I was also surprised with another beautifully wrapped gift from my amazing two nieces, Emily and Lily. That was truly an unexpected, wonderful surprise. I saved that special one for Christmas morning, too.
To me, all these gestures are fantastic - not because it's me getting presents, but because it is a warm reminder of all those faces I miss so much. I hope so far everyone is having a great Christmas holiday. Mine has been turning out pretty well so far I'd say. I will not lie... working at the mall during a busy season like this is pretty harsh sometimes. You hear the same button pressed over and over again, you hear kids screaming, menopausal mothers hissing and over-tired and burnt out fathers groaning. It can be an unpleasant time of year as well. That's why it's great to focus on the little things about the Holidays that make it so sweet. I'm looking forward to seeing the boys' crazy early morning hair as they skip down the stairs on Christmas morning. I think it's going to be a new experience for me altogether.
Certainly missing my Hallmark companions from back home, and I always recall the most obnoxious holiday moments from previous years I'd been working there. It's kind of fun working in a Hallmark here too because then I can see basically all of the same, stupid little noise-making machines that you have to listen to all day. It's almost like we're all still together under the same roof. Going to be honest here though, I am ready to take off as soon as Christmas is over. I've been applying for other jobs and Mike is hiring me officially too... so I will be saying "peace out" to my card shop days. But it was definitely a fun ride while it lasted, I grew up a lot in these past three years I've known most of you. My past year was awesome at 103 and I cannot express how much I enjoyed showing up for work every day to be able to spend my day with a good team. It has been fun. I've developed another little family and lifelong friendships that I'm very thankful for.To 111: you trained me up and got me going in the Hallmark world. It was great getting to know everyone so well there and I'm glad we continue to have our friendships too.We had many a good time and each one of us has changed a lot since I first began there. Chris is going to be a father, Kelso is in her fancy smancy math courses at school and my long-since-expected departure. I'm proud of all of us, we did well for ourselves. We've even gained some great friends along the way, and added to our family. (e.g. Big Andy and Fresca Bear) Although we may have lost a few soldiers along the way (e.g. Carol, Steffie, Diana) we still stuck around and endured life during the Holidays. ;)
I've had some happy times with you guys in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Well the week long countdown has begun ticking down to Christmas, so I guess I'll carry on, hit the hay and get ready to pump caffeine into my body before I head out for another whirlwind day in Hallmark tomorrow morning. I shall make sure I keep in touch and hopefully stick another post in here before the big December 25th day... (but don't quote me on that one. I think we all know better. I get lazy.)
If I don't talk to you again before then, have a wonderful Christmas, a wonderful holiday (and a wonderful trip to Belize for some of you.)
Love you lots,
Bree
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