Christmas Eve 2019
I started off the day with my usual morning walk in the early winter morning darkness and patiently awaited some sign of sunrise in the east. The UBC campus was especially quiet and void of life signs. Even the squirrels and racoons seemed to be observing the holidays and stayed in bed.
Later in the morning we took the bus to Granville Island to buy some culinary treats for the next two days of rest. Knowing it is traditionally one of the busiest day of the year the GI Market, we left early and resisted the task of parking (read: driving around and around searching for a parking space).
We started off at a favorite seafood vendor where we bought some local mussels, prawns, squid parts (?) and a large portion of steelhead trout. Yoshiko left to find some olives while I headed to the best meat/sausage shop on GI for some cold cuts. The crowd around Oyama Meats was six to seven deep around the counter with an army of staff behind the counter. Clearly I wasn't the only one to appreciate their selection. I took a number and waited patiently for my turn.
As I stood in the crowd and listened to customer after customer bark out their requests, I suddenly felt something (someone?) grab hold of my leg. I glanced down and saw a precious young girl holding tightly onto my leg as her father made his way to the counter to place their order. She held on until her father paid for the order and they departed as quickly as they arrived.
A perfect memory for my Christmas Eve and worth the trip (and crowds) at Granville Island.
Mid-afternoon on a chilly day, Tofino and I went to the nearby park where we threw and chased her frisbee until she almost collapsed.
I have many things to be thankful for on this eve of Christmas. Today included many reminders of them.
Merry Christmas.
