On this Christmas morning: Merry Christmas from The Herald

By GEORGE CUSTER/The Herald  —  Well, it’s not a storybook white Christmas. There’s enough snow in Oakridge this morning to sort of call it one. However, you’d have to be pretty industrious to want to gather enough snow to build a snowman. Building a snow wall so you can throw snowballs at the neighbor kids is pretty much out of the question. Maybe up on High Prairie. I haven’t been there this morning.

Regardless, it’s nice to sit inside and watch the occasional fluffy flakes drift to the ground. The first Christmas I was back in Oregon, we had plans to visit family in Southern California. It had snowed about a foot the night before. I was as giddy as a five-year old when I awoke to the beautiful white blanket that covered, what I had decided was to be, my hometown for the remainder of my life. I didn’t want to leave! I actually pouted at the thought of leaving Oakridge to drive to a snowless place that would be all sunny and warm. Yes, at Christmas time in Southern California, people are often still swimming in the ocean! I wanted my snow. My lovely Currier and Ives snow scene. My Thomas Kinkade snow covered home with the glowing lights in the window.

Now that I’ve lived here for some time (and getting older in the process), I’m more than happy with a sprinkling of the white stuff on some years. The roads will be a bit safer. Bringing in logs for the fireplace or stove won’t be as messy, and many a mom will be glad that the kids aren’t tracking the snow inside the house.

Over the years now, I have met so many wonderful people whom I call friends and neighbors. They make this town the wonderful place that it is, as much as the natural beauty that surrounds us. With that said, I, and all the volunteers and staff at The Herald wish all of our readers (and potential readers) a joyous and happy holiday on this Christmas morning.