Room At The Inn

"This life at best is but an inn,
And we the passengers."
- James Howell

It's certainly been an unordinary Christmas season.  With more than 35,000 Torontonians still without power after five days since the ice storm, it has been incumbent on we lucky ones to lend a hand.  It seemed for much of the first couple of days, we were in one of the few small pockets of homes that had power.  For us it meant that we stocked our fridge and bar with supplies and opened the door.   I cooked huge pots of hearty food, changed the guestroom bed over and over and kept the bathrooms supplied with fresh towels.  We put out the word over Facebook and social media.  Our home was open to anyone who wanted to warm up, eat a hot meal, take a shower or sleep in a warm bed.  We had a few takers.

Jonathan found himself working through the long days.  The ice storm caused a great deal of demand on his family business.  It meant though that he did not get to Montreal to celebrate Christmas with his family.  I felt bad for him though it was a special blessing for us to have him with us for our Christmas Eve and Christmas day dinners.  He certainly added to the joy of our celebrations.  We had more than enough food and as my table gift for the men this year was a pair of penny cuff links made with pennies from the year of each of their births, I was relieved to have an extra pair of cuff link backs and the ability to put my hands on a couple of 1991 pennies.  So though I had little notice that he would be joining us at our Christmas Eve celebration, by the time he got here, the table was reset to accommodate him and his cuff links were made and in place at his seat at the table.

We continued our annual Boxing Day movie tradition by taking in the latest Hobbit movie.  Jacob and Merv loved it but I was less enthused.  Three hours of relentless action and crushing violence viewed in 3D was a bit much for me.  Hot turkey sandwiches and Christmas day leftovers at Cath's after the movie assuaged my jangled nerves.

Today was a day for laying low and cleaning up a little though there is much more to do.  Jacob's friends will be here tonight.  Many mouths to feed but that's okay with me.  There is a lot of food to be eaten and I will have the joy of listening to their laughter and camaraderie.  Merv and I made the choice a long time ago and we have never regretted it.  There will always be room at our inn.