Russell and the Lost Treasure: 12/24/06
Judy and Charlie gave Sean this sequel to Russell the Sheep. In Russell and the Lost Treasure, Russell learns the importance of family after having an adventure to find a hidden treasure chest. Whereas the last book was simply a silly story about the frustration of insomnia, this story is more sentimental.

Russell doesn't find valuable treasure. Instead he finds a camera and a blank photograph album. He decides to make the best of it by filling the pages with photographs of the other sheep. Through Russell's photography we learn about the other sheep and their relation to Russell. The sheep stop being just background elements as they are in the first book and become individuals with their own likes and dislikes. They are Russell's family and the memories he captures in his book becomes his "treasure."

Gratitude #24: Memories of Past Years
I am thankful all the memories of previous times gathered with the family. For most of my life we did our celebrating on Christmas Eve with presents just after dinner, leaving the stockings for the next morning. That then left us free on Christmas day to visit with other friends. Sometimes it meant Christmas breakfast at my paternal grandparents' home and then dinner with my father's extended family at his grandmother's home. Later it meant dinner at my paternal grandparents' home (with them coming instead to our home for breakfast).

Now with Sean and Harriet and with living at the other end of the state, we have new traditions. Now Christmas Eve is either a day of travel (and anticipation) or a day to be spent with Judy and Charlie. Stockings, dinner and presents are now clumped together into one long afternoon of celebration with my folks and grandfather.

Then there is the annual family walk on the beach. Sometimes we have seen people with a Christmas tree set up in the sand. Last year we saw a sting ray.

There is Alice's birthday, though this is a tradition for Ian and me. Sean and Harriet will stay at home with their grandmother.

There will be other people to see and to introduce this year to Harriet. The traditions have changed over the years but the memories are still there and each new year is another new memory.

 

Steps: 3500