Greetings to all those out there in the cyber world. The cold season has now dropped its damp blanket upon us, lets start to defrost.
Holidays, by definition, well, the second given definition, states that this is a time or period of exemption from any requirement, duty, assessment. A break from the ordrinary in order to congregate with the ones that you cherish the most. Drop all your problems, pick up some food, some drinks, some laughs and some tears and just celebrate the simple fact that we are still here, still breathing, kicking towards the inevitable end of the known. Songs are sung, arms embraced, clothing usually hidden underneath the piles of social standard shirts and skirts come out in all its crazy colors. For it is not a time for appearance, just a chance to make one. With all of this known, sometimes it feels ridiculous to go on with the idea that this is the 'merriest' time of the year. I will let my memory redirect me towards the sun.
I can remember the christmas of the past like it is of the now. Dad blasting music from downstairs, mom around the kitchen cooking up her famous broccolli dish, sister putting on the finishing touches of her perfect ensemble, as brother and I battle for suppremacy in the latest videogame. We were divided at that point, yet all together, sharing the moment as a home, as a family. After sliding on the most uncomfortable pants imaginable and a nice, itchy sweater, i would load myself up in our sleigh (along with the many gifts) and head off to a land of pure, beautiful madness. Before the holiday songs were song, before the appetizers begun to tease, before the gifts exchanged and games were played, before all the fun, I would always be stuck inside the corridor of christianity, listening to tales from an age far from the present. As uncomftorable as my pants, my sweater, my mind was, i always knew that if i could make it through the bitter, i could live in the sweet. So i did. I ate the wafer. I was hungry after all.
We would get back to my aunts house and begin our feast, filled with an assortment of delicious dishes. Having ancestors from the big boot meant lots of pasta and lots of fish. And for I, always a delicious helping of the infamous twice baked potato. The only stress in those days would weigh on the outcome of the amount of potatoes i could digest. Not who was going where, who was getting what, where or who or when or why anything. Stress was a silly concept in those days, twice baked and, when on the plate, tastey, always washed down with a cup of joy. I remember football cards, sweaters, action figures, hats and jerseys, CD's, gift certificates and candy. I remember cards signed with love, arms extended with love, hellos, goodbyes, kisses and hugs, all created and given with love. Love was the only present re-gifted each and every year, never with a gift receipt.
On our way home from a truly entertaining evening, we would listen to the radio as songs would jingle. The radio and santa were always on the same frequency, as he would call in and let us know where he currently was. With sleep in our eyes but possibilites in our hearts, we would glide home to rest our weary heads for another day of pure madness.
Christmas Day, waking up before others have layed down, sister and I would race out of our rooms to wake our sleeping parents and brother. We could not wait to see the gifts out of their wrapping, in the flesh. What would it be, what COULD it be? A beautifully lit up tree with sparkling gifts underneath meant one thing to us, the infinite is in front of us. Screams of joy and the smell of eggs filled the air as stockings were taken down and dumped out, wrapping mangled and cravings satisfied. There were always the gifts that we dreamt of, the gifts we needed and the gifts that always had the touch of a loved one. We would rise from the swamp of fallen clothing once worn by our new possessions and give thanks in forms of hugs and kisses. 'I Love Yous' swapped between each and every family member. Then we would sit down and eat our delicious breakfast and enjoy the moment as a family.
After a few hours of play, we would once again get dressed up and get into our sleigh for one last christmas trip to see the other half our our extended family. On the day of Christmas, everything was more relaxed. The months, weeks, hours, minutes and seconds before the actual day carried stress, but on the 25th of December, all stresses were released and for one day everybody was free to be with who they were with, with what they have. Dressing was usually casual compared to the eve. New clothing was donned and a few of the favorite gifts were secure underneath our happy arms. Like the night before, Madness always ensued when we would get to our destination, my aunt cindy's house. A melting pot of family formed in the center of this beautiful Christmas dish. Ingredients ranged from the Deans, the painters and the regas. My brother and cousin always recieved the same gifts, well, about 90% the same. So part of the routine was going up into his room and seeing which gifts were similar to my brothers and which were solely picked for his own liking. I usually had my own set of gifts, for i was always the adopted child. :) Ninja turtles and dying ponies. Anyyyyway... Food was ate, gifts shared, laughter echoeing through the hallways that were decked for this special occasion. A truly perfect moment trapped in time on a day that took a year.
With all this nostalgia, you may be led to believe that i am anticipating the next couple of days with grate excitement, ready for the tradition of Madness to ensue. Maybe so, Maybe not. Long are the days when the stress was silent, the pressure feathered. At this point, i will be happy to make it through the holiday with an optimistic grin on my face. A tug of war has been going on over the past few months, mainly these past few weeks. While my whereabouts are already set in stone, my heart feels torn between the here and the there. In all seriousness, the claus is a fictional character, but one that is easily imaginable. Being all over the world in one night is impossible and, if attempted, would only waste the actual meaning of the holiday: togetherness. The situations in which we are in do not have to define the situation that we will create. Like the presents wrapped in front of our eyes, the infinite is still in front of us. We still have the moment to make the most out of the holidays. Trying to live up to a standard set before the present is silly. Extra baggage does not belong at the celebration of the holidays.
I want to wish each and every person out there in cyberspace, outer space or their own space a happy holiday. Dont label what you have until you already have it. For you never know what lies underneath the wrapping.
