n THE CARILLON STEINBACH, MAN. C6
n www.thecarillon.com THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024
C hristmas W riting C ontest WINNERS
Erna’s Angel by Ruth Sager STEINBACH, MB FOURTH PLACE - ADULT STORIES E rna sat looking out the window of her room in the care home where she lives. It’s her home, she was told, but she
“What’s your favourite Christmas car- ol?” Kate asked Erna, happily, glad that she could help Erna, and her neighbours cheer up. “Oh, my favourite Christmas carol is An- gels We Have Heard on High!” Erna said, clapping her hands. “I feel I need an angel in my life,” Erna continued with concern. “Yes, you know we can all be angels to one another by being kind to each other and helping out our neighbours,” Kate said with a smile. “Yes, I guess we can,” Erna said, still trying to be cheerful. “First we will play Bingo,” Kate went on. “I’ll help you and your neighbours find the numbers while Anne calls them out. Then after Bingo we will sing Christmas carols. I also have a Christmas ornament I made, to give to you and your neighbours. You know, we are all winners when we play Bingo. We just play for fun,” Kate said with excitement. “Much better than just looking out my window,” Erna says again, this time with much more enthusiasm. So, Erna knew Kate and Anne as the vol- unteers who come to visit, sing together and play Bingo and other activities. Volun- teering is why the days at the care home are happy for the residents. They always enjoy volunteers and families and friends coming to visit. It may take some time out of a busy day, but setting this time aside for this is import- ant and very fulfilling and rewarding… to see the smiles and spread the joy! Not only at Christmas but throughout the year! The Bible even mentions volunteering when it says for us to remember the widows and the orphans and for us to be kind and love one another!
“Yeah. Is it cold outside?” Erna asked, try- ing to sound cheerful. “Not very cold,” Kate said. “Just warm enough for my walk here.” “Would you like to sing Christmas carols today?” Kate asked. “Anne can play the pia- no while we all sing together!” “Oh yes, that would be much better than just sitting here looking out the window!” Erna expressed her feelings.
“Hi Erna! How are you today?” said a cheerful voice. Erna turned to look at the open doorway. Kate the volunteer was there. Erna enjoyed it when the volunteers came to visit. It made her day happy, also her neighbours were always happy to have the volunteers come. “Isn’t the snow on the trees pretty!” Kate expressed to Erna. “It looks like a Christmas card! Winter wonderland!!”
doesn’t feel that way. She is lonely and longs for her home in her younger years when she was a wife and a mother, and nothing could fill that gap. Today as she sat looking out her window the snow falling and the busyness of the people and cars whizzing by made her home of the past seem very far away.
Sharing the joy of Christmas
SVJETLANA MLINAREVIC THE CARILLON Elmdale School Grade 1 and 2 classes held their Christmas concert on Dec. 10 at the Pat Porter Active Living Centre. Here Jomiloju Onasanya speaks shares her thoughts about the season.
MERRY
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CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY
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HOLIDAY� SEASON : FROM COUNCIL & STAFF (§)
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