b'by Deborah Jones Finotti,Advertising Representative, Focus on ScugogTwas the night before Christmas, when all through theIf you read my Thanksgiving article you know how spe-house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse . . cial Thanksgiving is for me, it also was a tradition my hus-That story was told to me as a little girl on Christmas Eveband and I started as our family was growing up. Christmas for as long as I can remember.I would cuddle on my dadshowever takes me back to my childhood and all the wonder-lap and he would read it to me, however the story alwaysful memories I had growing up and have incorporated into took on a di erent twist, he would include my Mum andwhat we now do at Christmas.It never fails to make me brother into the story line.It wasnt until I read the samemelancholy remembering my wonderful parents and how I story to our daughters that I actually realized how specialwish they were still here, but then I count my blessings and his version was. continue their legacy with my family. My dad was very creative, he would express his thoughtsI still believe Christmas is magical to those who believe!!! through poems for our birthdays, anniversaries, and specialIts doesnt matter what that belief is, because the magic occasions, and I am grateful I still have them all, includingcomes from within.A smile to a stranger walking down the the ones he wrote to my Mum.street, a hardy Merry Christmas to a family struggling with Who remembers the 8mm cameras? We would wake upa child who still wants to look into the store windows and Christmas morning and as we headed downstairs the roomwitness the magic, paying it forward and of course giving was lit withso he could get the right lighting.back to our extraordinary community.It still amazes me alloodlights (Im sure if the space station existed back then, they wouldthe great work so many people are doing to raise money for have seen our house in a blaze of light). The heat that it radi- di erent organizations.Since moving to Port Perry I realize ated was enough for us to not wear housecoats, and thenwhat a close-knit community Scugog is at this time of year, when all was done, he would turn them o , WOW our eyesand especially since we are in the middle of a pandemic, had to adjust, everything seemed dark. A great memory!!!nothing is stopping the outpouring of generosity to help those in need. Soon I will be helping in our annual baking for the holi-days with my daughters, and now our granddaughters will also be a part of this tradition. They are young and very en-thusiastic; this should make for some interesting baking, but amazing memories. To quote my Dad again its all about the memories. This time of year, the holidays can be lonely for many and with COVID perhaps a bit lonelier. When you bake your tra-ditional cakes and cookies please think of others and share and spread some cheer. WISHING EVERYONE A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY HOLIDAY! Deborah signsvehiclelettering& graphicsFrom boat names snowmobile lettering& numbers Since 1996SignworkScanada.comReach & Northport Rd., Port Perry180 Mary St. Port Perry905-985-0861 905-985-080214FOCUS - DECEMBER 2020'