Cold Noses, Warm Smiles

WHEW! What a frigid day to be out and about! Who would have thought the temperature would have dropped that low by December seventh! I guess we ought to be a tiny bit thankful. Over in Manning, Alberta it went down to minus 59 degrees Celsius!
Yes, you read that right, and I hope it didn’t make you shiver!  I’m glad it wasn’t quite that terrible in Edmonton, where we happened to be at the time, but it was bitter enough!! What a day for our Christmas Family Gathering! Before we could gather in the cozy warmth of the restaurant of our chose there was some last minute shopping to be done. Since West Edmonton Mall was close by it seemed like the logical place to head. Have you ever been there? Have you ever been to any mall when there are thousands of others streaming down the halls in both directions? Maybe you love it, but if you are a Country Girl like me you might have been a little bit overwhelmed except….back to the title.

               You could always spot the newcomers into the mall by That Chilled Look, but, okay, okay, I admit I’m smugly prejudiced, but it sure seemed like Canadians must be known for their warm smiles, if the crowd there was an accurate sampling of the rest of our country.

               As my husband and I meandered around looking for Gifts for the Grandchildren- (of course that was meant to be capitalized,) it was easy to exchange cheerful remarks with this one and that wherever we meant. This was special, but just wait---! Once, twice, no three times we meet people from our own church, who believe and fellowship just like we do. Did our faces light up? You bet they did! Did we know each other? Not a once. Did we stop and chat? If we were close enough. Were our hearts warmed? Sure. We are one in the bond of love. You know what? There’s room for you to.