This isn't just another Christmas table runner. This is Joe's leaving gift: a stole embroidered by Georgie's mum. Georgie is a boy who is blind and his mum earns money for his special school fees with her embroidery work. Joe was given the stole at his leaving prayer at the beginning of December. He is on his way in a few weeks to the Phillipines for work and he is excited because he recently learned that a group of people are working to begin a L'Arche community in the town where he will be living. He's taking a bit of us with him and we hope that we'll soon have new L'Arche friends to be hearing about from him.
Ah, but we'll miss the craic with Joe. Who will make the salmon pasta, the tiramisu, the origami, the reservations for lovely Japanese lunches? Maybe someone will but not with the same panache as our Joe. He has been such a regular feature, friend, volunteer, in the Ember. Did I say we shall miss him?
Christmas this year was simple and sweet. Kristkindle started the flame of the holiday, and on Christmas Eve the Ember team laid on a lovely spread including the traditional smoked salmon and a gorgeous Czech fruit bread. Gabriella took the lead in distributing gifts from under the tree and we enjoyed the presence of Helen's family and Jillian's dad. We missed Dora and Edith, for the first time since the Ember came to be, but it was wonderful to have so many faces around the tree that had been there last year this time. Jim and Baby Aodh, the eldest and the youngest present, lit a candle together and Maria gave the blessing that her father used to use: May we all be together in this place this time next year.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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