The time is nigh to let go of another year. Let us celebrate Christmas, super moons and any other holidays we may encounter in the coming weeks. What better way to forgive the past year, full as it was of tumult and pain?

Let’s face it, 2017 was an annus horribilis, to use a Latin phrase made popular by Queen Elizabeth II. That’s what she called 1992, a year marred by royal family scandals and a horrible fire in Windsor Castle. In this year 2017, fires, floods, wars, famines, bigotry and vicious-mindedness continued to rage world-wide, and I lay claim to the royal proclamation on behalf of all humankind, or at least 99% of humanity, and a great portion of the earth’s flora and fauna too.

«Forgiveness means letting go of the hope for a better past,» said Lama Sura Das. He’s of the Buddhist persuasion, but there’s something in that thought for all of us, I think. Memories are sometime things, crafted by our minds of the stuff of our perceptions, themselves distorted by the narrative of our minds.

And what are those narratives? Too often an unforgiving view of the past, full of «if onlys» and «what ifs» and resentments held tightly in our gut. Memories shift to accommodate our narrative. In our minds, villains become more villainous, and saints more saintly. The past is shifting sand, and whatever lessons we think we’ve learned are subject to ongoing revision, usually for the worse.

Paradoxically, accepting and forgiving the shoddiness or pain of the past is the way toward escaping that sinkhole. Accepting that the past was horrible does not require us to wallow in it. It’s the only way of letting go.

So my friends, let us enjoy the holidays! Merry Christmas. Rest and relax, as much as possible, and may 2018 be an annus mirabilis, or wonderful year. (Yes, I’m seeing impeachment in my crystal ball.) Or at least, recognize the wonder that is present in every moment. Happy Holidays!

BINGO
Loisirs Sawyerville offers the second annual Christmas bingo on Thursday, December 14, at 7 p.m. at the Sawyerville Community Centre, 6 Church Street. Prizes will include Christmas baskets to be won throughout the evening, as well as cash.

CONCERT
Cellist Anne-Marie Leblanc is to offer an intimate and sensitive concert in chromatic immersion in the digital studio at the Atelier Auckland. The concert is followed by an interview and discussion with Leblanc, led by Sylvain Dodier. The event is on Saturday, December 16, at 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., at the Atelier Auckland, 15 Principale, Saint-Isidore-d’Auckland. Fee: $35. Space is limited. Registration is required. Info: 819-620-7549 or luc.pallegoix@me.com.

TOWNSHIPPERS
The six community organizations in the Marguerite Knapp Building serving English speakers in the Estrie and beyond invite you to a Christmas Open House on Wednesday, December 20, from 5 to 7 p.m. The groups are the Lennoxville & District Women’s Centre, Mental Health Estrie, Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network, The Townships Sun, Townshippers’ Association, and Townshippers’ Foundation. Mental Health Estrie will be accepting donations to their annual HUGS for the Homeless campaign: NEW hats, underwear, gloves socks and scarves and other warm articles of clothing. Lots of information, activities and refreshments will be offered. The Marguerite Knapp Building is at 257 Queen Street in the Lennoxville Borough, and has a parking lot accessible via Charlotte Street.

FADOQ
FADOQ Sawyerville is planning an activity day on Thursday, January 4, starting at 10 a.m. with cards, sand bag pouch, and more, at the Sawyerville Community Centre, 6 Church Street. Restaurant Sawyer will be providing lunch at noon. Anyone interested in lunch needs to contact Jean Luc Laperle at 819-889-3237 for the lunch menu and to reserve.

COLOURING
The first session of the Colour Café in 2018 is Wednesday, January 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. This fun, informal group for English-speaking adults offers a spot of socializing, relaxing, and colouring each month. No special talent is required. Free and open to all. At the Maison de la culture John Henry Pope, 25 Principale E. in Cookshire.
Are you interested in a daytime colour café group? Would mornings or afternoons work better for you? Let Michelle Lepitre know at 819-566-5717, ml@townshippers.org.

VIACTIVE
These exercise sessions for persons aged 50-plus are taking a break over the holidays. The four bilingual groups in Bury, Cookshire, Newport and Sawyerville all resume on January 17. Info: Diane Grenier, Volunteer Coordinator, Centre d’action bénévole du Haut-Saint-François, coordo@cabhsf.org.

CHURCH SERVICES
Anglican. On December 17, Sunday services are in Bury at 9:30 a.m. and in Cookshire (in the theatre at the Manoir de l’Eau Vive, 210 Principale East) at 11 a.m. On Sunday, December 24, Christmas Eve services are in Bury at 2 p.m. and at St. Peter’s Church in Cookshire at 4 p.m. On Monday, December 25, a Christmas Day service at 10 a.m. and on Sunday, December 31, an Epiphany/Deanery Service at 10:30 a.m. will be at St. George’s Church, 84 Queen St., Lennoxville. (No local services.) On January 7, Sunday services are in Bury at 9:30 a.m. and in Cookshire at 11 a.m. (location to be announced). Info: 819-887-6802.
United. On December 17, the services are at 9:30 a.m. in Cookshire, and at 11 a.m. in Sawyerville. On Wednesday, December 20, at 7 p.m., is a Blue Christmas Service in Sawyerville. On Sunday, December 24, at 2 p.m., is a Christmas Eve Service in Cookshire. On Sunday, December 31, the service is at 10:30 a.m., in Sawyerville. On Sunday, January 7, services are in Cookshire at 9:30 a.m. and in Sawyerville at 11 a.m. Info: 819-889-2838 (listen to message).
Baptist. In Sawyerville, the December 24th Sunday worship service is at 10:30 a.m. (bilingual), and 6:30 p.m. (English). The December 31st service is at 10:30 a.m. (bilingual). Info: 819-239-8818.
Do you have news to share? Call 819-300-2374 or email ra.writes@gmail.com by January 3 for publication January 10 and by January 15 for January 24.