“The Chernoff 2009 Christmas Letter”
is still enjoying all of his many volunteering
Dear Friends and Relatives,
A voice coming out of the kitchen is
saying that, “ it’s time for the Christmas Letter”.
So begins our chore of recalling our Gifts of 2009.
As with many writers, it was now time for looking
out the window to gather the many thoughts. It is
indeed a privilege to take time and relive the
events of 2009. There is so much for which to be
grateful along with recalling the many not so
happy events that we are now experiencing more
often. A review of this nature truly makes us
appreciate the “Gift Of Time” that each one
receives, 2009 was no exception.
Few things make Christmas more
memorable than spending it with the family. Last
year we spent it with Richard’s and Diane’s family
on Bowen Island. It was an adventure in many
ways, as the heaviest and wettest snowfall was
bestowed on our festivities along with a power
failure. Fred shoveled with great joy more snow
there than in Saskatchewan or Manitoba in his
lifetime. However, nature rewarded us with the
most beautiful winter pictures possible and a
memorable time. Here we too enjoyed the
comforts of Mary’s and Warren’s home which is
next door to Diane’s.
The families in Vancouver are all busy
occupying themselves with their most important
matters. Two granddaughters are enrolled at S. F.
U. in Film, Nicholas and Brittany are making
their way towards university and playing hockey.
Ted has a new position as principal of a private
school out of Nanaimo and commutes weekly with
Lauren. Christmas 2008 with our Family was Our
Christmas Gift.
We came home n January back to our
usual routine of planning for the summer as to
what lay before us. Natalie was making good
progress with her hip surgery and managed to put
in all her flowers as well as looking after the
house. She kept busy with O.E.S. doing drama
and the Story of Esther, O.E.S.choir and attending
concerts. Had a great June visit with Diane and
Ted and the 3 granddaughters. To add to our joy,
we had the pleasure of having Rick and Theresa’s
daughter Brittany visit us during the summer. Fred
activities which includes the Airport and
leading a Financial Share Club for seniors.
Events that changed our lifestyle
included the sale of our cottage (Our Shack) at
Matlock. (People who read The Shack will
know what I mean). July 15 was the last
possession date and after that it was A.C. time.
(after cottage). It was a time to change our
lifestyle and plan for other things. Going to the
cottage for 30 years became a permanent
happening, it was a big change. However, it
did allow us to kinda start life all over again.
Without the family here, it was getting to be
quite a burden and after much thought,
decided to sell. For everything there is a time,
time to buy and time to sell. Fred felt it was
like having 5 monkeys off his back.
The sale of the cottage gave us a
chance to think out of the box and were given
an opportunity to spend September on Bowen
Island. This was our second Gift in 2009 and
we enjoyed every minute of Island living. Fred
arrived home fit as a fiddle with all the
exercise in climbing hills.
So this gives everyone a little glimpse
into our lives and perhaps some of the
challenges we too have to face. Natalie has
been scheduled for her second hip replacement
in January. At present she has bursitis in her
knee so the surgery may be postponed. Our
overall 2009 Journey has been extremely full
and we probably contributed much less than
we received.
The weather in November was another
gift for all of us as it was like next to summer.
Had time to get out all of our winter clothing
and polish up the snow shove. As Fred is
turning 82 in December, that is something else
we will have to put down on our watch list.
So my dear friends and relatives, it is
once again time to wish everyone the
Blessings of 2009 Christmas. We wish that
your homes and hearts will be filled with
Love, Peace and Joy as you celebrate this
Glorious Holy Holiday Season.
God Bless You.
 776 Oxford St., Winnipeg, Man R3M3K2
Natalie and Fred Chernoff; fnchern@autobahn.mb.ca.
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