Volunteer week comment

2010-12-22 22:09:54.000 – Charlie and Jeanine Kinney,  Summit Volunteers

Twas two nights before Christmas
and all over the Mount
There were wind speeds and snow flakes
too many to count
The crew was preparing
to escape via cat
To join friends and family
cause that’s where it’s at
On Kristen and Stacey
on Mike and on Jen
On Steve, Charlie and Jeanine
off to the Glen
Another Christmas is about to arrive
It’s a wonderful time to be alive!

Christmas is rapidly approaching. A time for reconnecting with friends and family, a time for giving and receiving, and a time for reflecting on all we have and how blessed we are. This is our second trip here this calendar year as we changed from our usual mid-January to mid-December time after our last trip. We had anticipated traveling beginning after the holidays but could not have anticipated what was to be. Plans were made and materials bought to transform our home into a warmer, energy efficient, maintenance free abode but unforeseen obstacles brought cold weather before a permit. Since we had already started deconstruction we decided to postpone work and vacate for the winter. No stockings by the mantle with care (no mantle), no Christmas cards on the bookcase, and no candles in the windows. But, alas, here we are surrounded by a group of warm, friendly folks who themselves are, though temporarily, homeless.

The weather station is just that, more office like than homey. This week we’ve decorated and created some traditional Christmas delights and the “atmosphere” is festive. One evening we had an assortment of finger food (not literally), rather than the usual dinner, as we relaxed in the living room. We were even treated to Christmas music by Stacey and Jen rounding out the evening. The one event that was missing this year, though, was our family tradition of cutting our Christmas tree. With weather on the mountain being relatively calm I decided to attempt to find one. Making my way to below tree line and finding an acceptable specimen turned out to be a daunting task. One was found, however, and the return trip undertaken. The one aspect I had not considered was how rough the trip would be for the tree but, alas, I reached the summit with tree in hand. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough decorations on the “hill” to make it look good.

It has been a wonderful week and putting all the puns, jokes and impossible stories aside a time to reflect on how “lucky” we all are (and I mean all). Take a moment to look around and realize for all our difficulties there are so many folks dealing with far worse. Thanks to MWO for this opportunity and NH State Parks for help and friendship. Jeanine and I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.

 

Charlie and Jeanine Kinney,  Summit Volunteers

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