SayWhatClub Online Voices December 2009
Chasing the snow
Susan Collins
Copyright 2009
This time of year was a time of wonderment for me as a small child growing up in England. There was always a pantomime to watch, Christmas decorations to be made and roasting chestnuts around the fire. Foremost of all was the visit to Father Christmas in the sure knowledge that he would deliver! Christmas dinner was a special treat with a large roast chicken followed by Christmas pudding and custard. Weatherwise it was always cold and wet and very gloomy. The Christmas cards hanging on string from our windows invariably portrayed people in Victorian clothes carolling in the snow and holding candles. I used to think that maybe snow only fell in the "olden days" because our snow always came after Christmas.
My Australian childhood Christmases were bright, dry and very hot. We didn't have snow in winter, so there certainly was no chance of a white Christmas as I still saw on the cards.
The years passed and large and very noisy family gatherings replaced the magic of childhood. The "traditional chicken" was replaced with what is now the "traditional turkey" and "traditional ham" all straight from the oven and eaten in the blazing heat. We now opt out of the "traditional Pudding" favouring Pavlovas, trifles laced with sherry or port, and fresh fruit salads. Generously served with cream, or ice cream, or both. Last year we indulged in several pounds of huge deliciously sweet prawns (shrimps), not BBQ'd but eaten standing up at a table on the lawn. Our cards still have the carollers in the snow, although some show a kangaroo or koala replacing Father Christmas.
When my son moved to New Jersey ten years ago, snow at Christmas looked like it may finally happen for me. Over those years I have visited twice at Christmas and yes, you've guessed correct. No snow.