Welcome to White Cane Connections.

My name is Sue Boman. Yes, that’s me in the picture posted here. I have called this blog White Cane Connections because I am one of the many people who use a white cane. I began this blog because I wanted to write about a project I undertook in 2012. The plan was to complete a series of walks using my white cane. Between March and September, I walked in 82 different locations across Canada. So, the blog begins by telling of my experiences and the many people I met along the way.

While this particular journey has now been completed, I find that I still have much to write about. I am continuing to make new white cane connections, and so for the time being I will continue to add regular posts to this blog. I am hoping that you will be a partner in the journey.

Sue


Saturday, 30 November 2013

November 30 - Christmas Shopping

Christmas is coming and although it is one of my favourite seasons, I really don’t like the shopping aspect.  If I didn’t enjoy the end result of a shopping trip so much, perhaps it wouldn’t matter. However, once we are home from the store, I like taking out the special gifts and treats that Lyle and I have purchased.

You might be asking then, what is my problem. The problem is that when I am in the store, I simply lose any ability to focus or “see”. The variance of lighting – bright or dim, fluorescent white or dazzling colour, flickering or steady beam - is simply blinding. At Christmas the rush of people hurrying to and fro is unnerving. The multitude of special items on display while tantalizing to those who can see, for me is blurred and confusing.

Fortunately, Lyle is patient. One of his suggestions is that I make a list of what I need and he will fill the order. This works reasonably well with groceries but it doesn’t work with the gift list. For the most part, we don’t give many gifts but I would like for the ones that we do choose to give to have some special meaning. It is hard to make this list out of a vacuum not knowing what there is available.

So, that is my complaining done for today. Tomorrow is Advent Sunday and I know that I must prepare in other ways for the “Reason for the Season”. Today, Lyle and I put up our little Christmas tree and the string of lights along the outside roof of our house and garage. As I type this, there is a CD of Christmas music playing in the background. I have a special red tablecloth for our dining room table and a nativity arrangement and candles for the coffee table. Often Lyle and I will sit in comfortable chairs in our living room and reminisce about the many happy family times we have enjoyed at this time of year. I think that I will procrastinate just a little longer about the idea of shopping and enjoy the many good things of the holiday season.





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