This morning I am remembering a pioneer Christmas some sixty-five years ago. We had moved from Winnipeg to a soldiers settlement, north of Birch River, MB. Dad, Mom and we three children. Virgin land, lots of bush and none of the luxuries in life we were used to with city living. Oh how we loved it! No matter we had to carry in water, use coal oil lamps and an outdoor toilet. We had animals and lots of country to explore! We were a family again with Dad home from the war. We had two neighbour families in the settlement at that time: one lived one-quarter mile away: the Chestworths and the other Princes: one mile. It was to the Princes we were all invited to share Christmas Day. The day was bitterly cold. Dad hitched up our team of horses to a sleigh and wagon box filled with hay, and with the Chesworths on board, all heavily dressed and piled with blankets, we took off! We journeyed through the cold, the sound of horses hooves breaking through the snow and jingling of harness ringing through the frozen air. Our hearts were singing! We were so excited as children living this wonderful country life. The horses were put in the neighbours barn with feed and water. We spent the day with a delicious turkey meal, lots of laughs and the delighted atmosphere of pioneer neighbours talking together of their farms and plans for the future. Mrs. Prince had knitted mitts for me, my siblings and the one neighbour child, as gifts. We loved the different pattern on the mitts and thought she was so kind to do so. We journeyed home that evening, with joy and peace. A day spent like no other: etched in my mind forever.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 15:35:12 +0000
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