Mustard Seed tradition
Posted Dec 25, 2012 9:20 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
While many of us have family to add to our Christmas Day enjoyment each year, sadly that’s not the case for everyone.
In fact, many Calgarians are spending the holiday alone this year, either because of work responsibilities, or maybe they’re lonely, or even just plain down on their luck.
For 30 years now, Del Bannerman has been serving up smiles while filling up bellies around town with the Christmas dinners she and her family host for Calgary’s less fortunate–or anyone who wants to share in some happy holiday cheer.
They carried out that tradition this year for hundreds of hungry folks who gathered at the downtown non-profit Mustard Seed, where they enjoyed a Christmas dinner fit for the Royal Family, complete with all the fixin’s.
But, the Bannermans’ dinner’s roots are actually marked in tragedy.
Thirty years ago, her boys, John and Pat, aged 19 and 21, were killed in a car crash. Her dinner essentially started as a “happy distraction” from her family’s tragic loss—and has contintued annually since–bringing mirth and merriment to many.
“We were [initially] a kind of a hurting crew. So we just went into it and it’s all worked out every year since,” she says.
Bannerman says she never gets tired of serving up her countless meals to Calgary’s down-and-out at this time of year. There’s something especially rewarding, she notes, about turning grief into grinning and gratitude.
Likewise, every year Bruce Beamer has been making the trek here from Slave Lake to volunteer his time at the organization’s Christmas meal.
He says it’s a no-brainer for him as his grandma told him long ago: “Tis the season of love and counting your blessings.”
“It’s how you look at life,” says Beamer. “When I come here I tell myself, ‘I am not alone; I am not broke; I am not homeless; and I am not sick — life is wonderful.’ ”
Beamer, an educational facilitator, says one of his fondest memories at the Mustard Seed was when former Premier Ralph Klein made a surprise visit and rolled up his own sleeves to help serve the hungry.
So the big question– how did it all taste?
“Warm, tasty — really good!” said Dave Smith, who ventures down to the Mustard Seed every year for Christmas.
Dave lives outdoors and seated at the dinner table, he seemed as pleased as the punch he sipped on.
When asked what Christmas means for him — he plainly replied: “A hot meal; that’s what it means for me.”
Diners at the Mustard Seed noshed on turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, yams, cranberries, stuffing, jelly, veggies and applie and pumpkin pies.
Volunteer Patrick Seibel, Del’s grandson, tells 660News, “each year the fact you get to see everyone’s face brighten up makes it all worthwhile.”
“It’s like a big family here today,” he adds.
