Family traditions create the stories we share
By Lethbridge Herald on December 9, 2023.
AT THE LEGISLATURE
Nathan Neudorf – UCP MLA for Lethbridge East
As the festive season unfolds, I extend heartfelt greetings to the wonderfully diverse community of Lethbridge. In this season of celebration, we come together to honor the traditions that weave the fabric of our unique cultural tapestry.
From saying “Merry Christmas” to marking the end of Ramadan with “Eid Mubarak,” from the festival of lights during Diwali to the illumination of the menorah during Hanukkah, our community reflects a beautiful kaleidoscope of beliefs and traditions.
Each celebration brings its own rhythm to the symphony of our shared experiences, reminding us of the richness that diversity brings to our lives.
In Lethbridge, our strength lies in the rich variety of backgrounds, traditions, and celebrations that make us unique.
As we gather with friends and family, let’s take a moment to appreciate the beauty of our differences and the shared joy that transpires when coming together with loved ones.
The warmth of the season goes beyond cultural celebrations. It’s about creating connections, building bridges, and embracing the spirit of goodwill that unites us all.
I take immense pride in our city, which boasts over 100 different languages spoken. It’s this diversity that makes our community truly shine when we come together in celebration.
Reflecting on this special season, I’d like to share one of my family’s cherished traditions.
Every Christmas Eve, my wife, children, and I have a sleepover in the family room by the Christmas tree.
What started as a fun and spontaneous idea with the kids when they were little quickly became an annual tradition that sparked excitement in our children and joy for us as parents. The twinkling lights, the scent of evergreen, and the anticipation of Santa’s visit create a magical atmosphere that transports us back to the enchantment of childhood.
As we huddle together, sharing stories and laughter, it’s a poignant reminder that the most precious moments of the holiday season are the ones we create with our loved ones.
This tradition has become a treasured thread in the fabric of our family’s holiday memories, weaving joy and warmth into the tapestry of our lives.
As we celebrate the holidays, I encourage each community member to take a moment and reflect on their own family traditions.
Whether it’s a longstanding ritual or a unique celebration, these moments create the heartwarming stories we share together.
Regardless of the holiday you observe, may your homes be filled with joy, love, and peace.
As we look ahead to 2024, I look forward to continued collaboration with our diverse communities, working hand in hand to make Lethbridge an even better and brighter place for all.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a wonderful New Year!
19-18
The sugar-coating of Xmas here, sadly, rings more than a bit hollow.
All some of us want for Xmas is to be free of the UCP/TBA stumbling and bumbling….them not paying enough attention to the severe drought southern Alberta is in (what of their irrigation farming vote base?), the ongoing denial of how the burning of fossil fuels is driving severe climate change, the moratorium on renewable energy costing thousands of jobs and $billions in investment, the ridiculous sovereignty act, the ridiculous push for an APP, how the UCP are allowing the cost of electricity to go higher and higher, how open pit coal mining thoughts are still being maintained with the threat to our waters and environment, the ongoing financing of the war room, the gravy train trip by Smith and her 100 member entourage to Dubai at a cost of airfare per person of $18,000 and hotel fees for some at $2500/day (did they all pay their own way?, Redford certainly would not have survived this), threatening to union busting tactics by threatening to cut United Nurses of Alberta Registered Nursing jobs and contracting them out (other provinces and territories would welcome our RNs with open arms), dismantling AHS which may bode very unwell…..on and on, almost every day there is some negative thing.
In the most recent blog here, mention is made of Rachel Notley stepping down, but there is some interesting thoughts on how long Danielle Smith might last….read on at:
http://www.albertapolitics.ca
Trouble is, could it get worse?
Indeed, Southern Albertan! Moreover, with this ‘Epistle From On High’, Minister Neudorf should be a strong contender for both the 2023 Mr. Scrooge and Mr. Grinch Award