Christina Barber
Bio
Vancouver, Canada
@lille_sol
@canuckreader
Publications:
“Alone in an Empty Room” https://www.thecreativezine.org/issue1
Stories (33/0)
Dec. 12 - Letter to Santa
I have fond memories of helping my niece and nephew write letters to Santa. The intensity and patience as they turned thoughts into words, the joy of seeing them think about connecting with someone in a world that so rarely writes letters anymore.
By Christina Barber2 years ago in Poets
Dec. 11 - Small Voices
I remember, in grade one, my teacher had us sing Frère Jacques - the Matt Maxwell rock and roll version. Complete with giant cut out cardboard bells, we rocked across the stage. As a teacher, I have both led my classes and others in song and watched so many of my colleagues and their students take the stage. There is always something sweet about seeing the youngest members of our communities take the stage.
By Christina Barber2 years ago in Poets
Dec. 10 - A Visit with Santa
One of my fondest memories is of going to Sherway Gardens to visit with Santa and have my picture taken. Each year, my grandmother would dress me up and take me to the mall. We would wander and look at the decorations and find the winter village, always distinct and magical. You could see the line-up from far away. The decorations and cutouts, the little, playful scenes that lined the way as you waited (im)patiently to sit on Santa's knee and whisper in his ear, were welcome and entertaining. And, finally, when it was your turn, you jumped up on the staging area and had your turn. I can't remember what I wished for, but I certainly remember those moments and savour them.
By Christina Barber2 years ago in Poets
Dec. 9 - Snowy Highways
I remember many long drives across Toronto to family dinners. The roads, often treacherous, maintained a magical quality with big flakes falling outside car windows. The journey to grandma's house, just part of the festivities, allowing for increasing anticipation of cousins and family, dinner, games, and presents.
By Christina Barber2 years ago in Poets
Dec. 7 - Sparkling Snow
I was once up at Grouse Mountain, shortly after the Grizzly bears emerged from their winter hibernation. I remember learning about how they spent their long winter sleep - more fitful than I imagined. As a child, I found the idea of hibernation magical, the slipping away for months at a time, only to wake up in warmer months. As an adult who is not a fan of the cold, there remains a certain appeal.
By Christina Barber2 years ago in Poets
Dec. 5th - Eaton's Christmas Windows
One of my favourite Christmas memories was going down to see the Eaton's windows, with my great-grandmother. I remember taking the old TTC train and that when we passed through the tunnels, that the lights would flicker and sometimes go out. We would walk along Queen Street and look at the animated winter scenes, in the wide Romanesque windows of the Eaton's Annex. I was enchanted by the colours, the lights, and the toys.
By Christina Barber2 years ago in Poets
Dec. 4 - Through Winter Windows
I spent a few Winter Breaks up on the edge of Algonquin Park. Sitting still, looking out the window, I would often be rewarded by animated scenes: chickadees at the feeder, dive bombing drunkenly; blue jays looking for peanuts, squawking raucously. In the stillness of a deep winter day, there is a surprising amount of movement and life.
By Christina Barber2 years ago in Poets
Dec. 3 - Marchés de Noël
For a year after I finished my undergraduate degree, I lived in Colmar and worked as an Aupair. It was an absolutely wonderful experience when the markets started to prepare at the end of November. And as I walked each day with my charges, we wandered through the different markets, located in all the squares. A true feast of sensations, I'm sorry I have not had the chance to experience it again. All through Alsace and in Germany, there are Christmas markets/Marchés de Noël/Weinachtsmarkt and the lengths that towns and cities go to in setting up these sumptuous winter wonderlands is truly worth the visit.
By Christina Barber2 years ago in Poets