HodgePodge: Angels 2019

By Charlie Hodge.

I’m one of the few folks in the world who loves snow but does not ski. I gave up skiing after realizing every time I hit the slopes they hit back – and I wound up wounded. I skied just four or five times yet managed to break a thumb, crack two ribs, and rip the cartilage up in my knee. It was clear to me that the slopes were not safe turf for Moi.

I now observe my snow pleasure in doors via a warm hot chocolate and comfy seat near a window. Of late I am discovering it is a great spot to shop as well. Online by a window with hot chocolate and a comforter. I barely miss the maddening crowds, insane parking lots, cold air, and grouchy sales folks.

Now that I write from home for a living the only draw for me to leave the house is to perform council duties or to volunteer for a cause or two that I admire. Christmas to me is about giving and one of my favourite avenues of doing so is through ringing the bells for the Salvation Army. I fully embrace the kind caring work the Sally Ann does throughout the nation and in particular their work in Kelowna. A few others I support every Christmas include purchasing tickets for the Shriners’ Circus, Haiti in My Heart, and the food bank.

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Submissions are arriving for the Charlie’s Angels Christmas List and I encourage you to send me yours now before time runs out. All of us have kind, sharing people in our lives when we think about it. Some are in our lives daily, some appear perhaps only once and are gone again, however their impact is/was profound. Like angels. Each year at this festive season I acknowledge people who have gone above and beyond to help me or someone else.

Tez tops my list first and foremost for putting up with my difficult dynamics. Living with a scatterbrain such as I must be infuriating and boggling. While never clinically diagnosed I think I check off most the boxes of ADHD which can drive a partner bonkers. In addition the ‘artistic’ bend and life as a politician in the fish bowl means she is often dealing with issues or scenarios she did not sign on for. And one thing she did sign on for but may regret is the wedding vow part about ‘through sickness and health”. It is no secret that for the past three years or so Tez has been my top support as I have gone through a couple of life threatening operations and issues and now takes care of 90 percent of everything we do around the house, yard, life… I am certainly thankful for that. Other angels in my world include several friends and a few new people in my world. I will sprinkle their names into columns over the next two weeks.

My wife Tez (Teresa) has a couple in her world including Deb Stone for “just being an amazing friend and supporter”, Cam Fryer and Jim Krahn for “working so hard to beautify the house”, Vic Hodge and Curtis Tulman” for helping and taking care of me in my darkest hours last year” and to Mark at Freedom’s Door for “all his help and shovelling the snow”.

Reader ‘Baba’ Dawna Mulock writes, “This past year could have been extremely difficult if not for Angels. I have two Angels, my granddaughters Daisy and Gabby. Daisy Miles aged 7 is my energy Angel. She brought me sunshine and happiness with her precious homemade cards and contagious smile. She shared her wit, winks, friends and energetic activities with me. Gabby Pruden aged 12 years is my silent, gentle Angel. Nightly, my doorbell would ring, no one would be there, however I would always find a delicious meal on my doorstep. When Gabby was able to visit she warmed my heart with her 20 second hugs. She has a saying “Hugs don’t count if less than 20 seconds”. I have a saying too, “I think God knew I needed you girls.”

Thank you Angels Daisy and Gabby the world is a better place just cause of you.”

I invite readers to send me nominations of angels in your world this past year. Email your angels to charliehodg333@gmail.com