Whenever I think of complicating Christmas, I think of Elmer.
I used to work at a long term care facility as a recreation director and Elmer was a long term resident there. He would meet me at the door without fail, as soon as he thought was respectful after November 11th, and want to discuss the December recreation calendar with me. Usually before I could even get my jacket off.
“Little girl, please get a paper and pen and write this down for me” he would say, bobbing up and down with giddyness .
We would then discuss his Christmas shopping list at length taking into account his small budget but very big Christian heart. We would then go through every group booked to come visit the home and make sure I hadn’t missed anyone who came in from the year before. Elmer also had a very active social life and he loved attending different community church services with anyone who would spare some time to come get him. These became his dearest friends and memories.
The much anticipated day would finally come. We would head out to do our Christmas shopping and have lunch. The lists and money was all organized into envelopes for the residents to shop with, but Elmer’s list was usually a full time job: white handkerchiefs for Buddy, a hammer and nails for Doug and Helen, writing paper and pens for Shaun, chocolates for the staff, and the list would go on.
You see, Elmer watched his friends closely all year. He knew what they liked, what they used or what project they were working on. It was never about how much a gift cost. Dear Elmer chose every single gift with so much thought and heart, it would make you tear up sometimes.
His Christmas spirit was truly remarkable considering his circumstances. This man had been in care most of his life, sent to live at the “poor farm” as a child, his mother having two young sons and couldn’t look after them both. He was forced to work the land and woods to earn his keep. Elmer befriended so many people, and staff would often take him home for Christmas dinner, which made his whole season. As the world became more inclusive, poor farms evolved into care homes with less stigma, and much more dignity. Elmer welcomed all the changes and new friends with open arms.
His Christmas list just kept getting longer.
“Little girl, we are going to need more paper.” he would say grinning and rubbing his hands together with excitement.
Love Jenn xx