Gillian Slade
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Childhood Christmas memories transport Andy McGrogan, Chief of Police, to the historic village of Bath, Ont., near Kingston where Santa Claus toured the village on horseback every Christmas Eve.
McGrogan choked back laughs as he described the rotund village resident who took pride in dressing up as Santa each year, and possibly after a wee bit of scotch, trotted down streets to the delight of children.
“I’m the middle of three boys and my dad was English so some of our family traditions have a British flavour,” said McGrogan.
The community, however, had a strong French influence and delicious meat pies (tourtière) were on the menu every Christmas Eve.
“We were allowed to open only one gift before heading off to midnight Mass where we had to sit quietly and still,” says McGrogan.
When there were no more “sleeps” left, on Christmas morning as he wiped the sleep from his eyes, McGrogan knew he could count on a Christmas stocking being at the foot of his bed. The gifts nestled inside were guaranteed to included an orange, nuts and a box of Life Savers candy.
Once the children had coaxed their parents out of bed they sat around the tree drinking Mom’s homemade eggnog while taking turns at opening gifts.
“My most memorable gift was a set of ice hockey goalie pads. I was crazy about ice hockey and always wanted to be out on the pond playing. When you’re young you don’t even feel the cold,” said McGrogan nostalgically.
Christmas dinner always included turkey with all the trimmings but dessert had to be Mom’s special trifle.
“My Mom makes the absolute best trifle. Nobody can make it like she does,” says McGrogan with a tender note that makes you wonder if his mouth is watering as he talks about it.
Current Christmases include a blend of his wife’s traditions as well as his own. Their two children, 24 and 28, still come home for Christmas each year. Christmas Eve meals are Chinese food.
“We still stuff the kids’ Christmas stockings, and include boxes of Life Savers tucked in there just like when I was a kid.”
McGrogan admits to finding it very difficult to shop for Christmas presents.
“I’m that guy running around on Christmas Eve trying to find the right gifts. My wife gives me some good hints but I try to find something special that is a surprise for her.”
Breakfast is thoroughly traditional and always the ‘wife saver special’ made with buttered bread, bacon and an egg mixture that soaks in to the bread and rises like a soufflé in the oven. It can be made ahead and then popped in the oven while opening presents.
“One year my wife decided on a change and everyone complained. Now we stick with tradition.”
Christmas dinner still means turkey but no trifle.
McGrogan says, “Christmas is the time to reflect on what we have and hold dear and be thankful. It’s a chance to recognize the importance of family and spending time together.”
“I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.” |
|
Users' Comments  |
|
Average user rating
|
|
|
