Coucoumellisms

Sometimes neutrality is better. Noone gives and noone receives. Sometimes it is better neither to expect anything nor give anything in return. Sometimes it's just less depressing to not to give at all. It can actually be a relief to not have to pretend to not notice that one is the only person not on the receiving end. Sometimes, whether it be the needy friend who only shows up when they need something, or a member of the family who doesn't pitch in, it is better to distance oneself and neither be disappointed, nor trying to pretend not to care. Because sometimes, it is better for one's own personal mental health, not to give oneself reason to be depressed. Sometimes, being on equal ground is much better than either giving or receiving.

16 décembre, 2009 Joyeux Noël Chers amis et famille, La neige couvre le sol ici à St-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Les nuits sont très belles avec toutes les lumières. Les arbres aussi, se sont parés de beaux draps blancs. Les nuits sont plus noires et plus longues, mais le people qui marchait dans les ténèbres a vu une grande lumière. Nous espérons que la Lumière du Monde vous apporte de la joie et la paix cette année à Noël. Une année se termine, une autre nous attend. Que la nouvelle soit pour vous, une année de bonheur, malgré les peines que la vie nous réserve parfois. Cette année nous avons été très occupé comme d’habitude avec l’école et le soccer pour les enfants. La vie tourne autour de quatre endroits ici ; la maison, l’école, le stade et l’église. Au mois de janvier, Marc et moi sommes allés au Château Montebello à Fairmount, avec mon frère Cecil et sa femme Jane pour la nuit. Personne ne m’avait dit qu’on y allait, encore moins pour y passer la nuit (pas au Château mais dans un Bed &

December 16, 2009 Merry Christmas dear friends and family, Snow covers the ground here in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Nights are especially lovely with the coloured lights set off by the white mantle. The trees, also dusted with snow, are very lovely. The nights are longer and darker, but the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. We sincerely hope that the light of the world brings peace to you all at Christmas. A year is ending, a new one awaits. May it be for you a year filled with happiness, despite the pain life sometimes throws at us. This past year has been busy, as usual with school and soccer for the children. Life revolves around four places here; home, school, stadium and church. January found Marc and I with my brother Cecil and his wife Jane, in the Château Montebello in Fairmount for a night. Nobody had told me we were going, it was a surprise for me. (Story here: http://coucoumelle.blogspot.com/2009/01/memorable-week-end.html ) This was supper: a $50 bottle of