When I was a child growing up in Trinidad, I remember looking forward to Christmas each year, especially to see what Santa Claus brought for me (yes, Santa came to Trinidad too). It was the most special time for me and Christmas grew to be my favorite time of year. Then as I grew older, it began to lose some of its meaning. The excitement had gone away and I did not look forward to Christmas so much.
When I moved to the United States, I was excited about Christmas again but this was short-lived when I would see parents arguing about the most popular toys and fighting to get the last one on the shelves for their children. Or, I would see people camping outside of toy stores or malls waiting to be first in line for a particular toy. Or, Christmas carols were played at the last moment on the radio and not enough snow had fallen. This was not my idea of Christmas in the US.
After years of this, I decided I was ready to experience Christmas somewhere else and I packed my bags and went to France for 2 weeks in December. I really enjoyed the atmosphere in Cannes. I arrived in time to go to the Christmas market a few times which was a special treat for me. They sell the best crepes there and Christmas ornaments and chestnuts. The streets were all lit with Christmas lights and people were full of Christmas spirit and cheer. I really enjoyed my Christmas that year in the south of France.
Shortly after that, I met my husband who also enjoys celebrating Christmas and he helped to bring back even more of the meaning of Christmas for me. We both like giving and receiving gifts, but mostly just being together is enough joy for us. This year (2008), I will spend Christmas in Germany with him and I am looking forward to it. Although the Christmas markets in Germany will be closed by the time I arrive there, he has already decorated the apartment with Christmas ornaments.
On the Saturday before Christmas day (2008), I invited seven of my nieces and nephews (2-8 years) over to my house for a Christmas pizza party. I bought presents for them and wanted to spend some time with them instead of just giving them the gifts and leaving right away. We planned to have pizza and watch a movie (Kung Fu Panda). A few minutes after they all arrived I had the "what was I thinking?" moment! (: There were children everywhere, screaming, laughing, crying, running, but none sleeping. We ate pizza, and then settled down to watch the movie. (Well, we made it through most of the movie anyway.)
The movie was finally over and the children became restless! They started having their kind of fun bouncing around! I sat there with my mother and sister and enjoyed every minute of it. The most touching moments of the day, which filled me with enough Christmas spirit to last a long time were, first, when they all piled on top of me hugging and kissing me over and over again! I will never forget this moment for as long as I live. Another moment was when one of my nieces bumped my nose with her head (ouch!). She kept coming back to me, hold both my cheeks with her tiny hands to kiss my nose. I was happy when their parents picked them up but these were the best reminders of what Christmas is truly about!
So for me, Christmas is a time of different kinds of gift giving. Young children (and some older ones too) enjoy opening their presents to see what Santa brought for them, or complaining about what Santa did not bring. During the Christmas season, I would be happy to receive the gift of a hug from a long lost friend, or a phone call from someone I haven't spoken to in a while, or a Christmas card that says "thinking of you," and especially the hugs and kisses I received while being smothered by my nieces and nephews. These are truly the most precious gifts of all and I've come full circle to truly appreciate them. I have also realized that it's not about where you are or what you get or even when you get it, but it's more about who you are with at Christmas time that truly makes it Christmas.
To all my family and friends, I send you a big hug and lots of kisses at Christmas time all year long. MERRY CHRISTMAS and PEACE AND LOVE ALWAYS!
When I moved to the United States, I was excited about Christmas again but this was short-lived when I would see parents arguing about the most popular toys and fighting to get the last one on the shelves for their children. Or, I would see people camping outside of toy stores or malls waiting to be first in line for a particular toy. Or, Christmas carols were played at the last moment on the radio and not enough snow had fallen. This was not my idea of Christmas in the US.
After years of this, I decided I was ready to experience Christmas somewhere else and I packed my bags and went to France for 2 weeks in December. I really enjoyed the atmosphere in Cannes. I arrived in time to go to the Christmas market a few times which was a special treat for me. They sell the best crepes there and Christmas ornaments and chestnuts. The streets were all lit with Christmas lights and people were full of Christmas spirit and cheer. I really enjoyed my Christmas that year in the south of France.
Shortly after that, I met my husband who also enjoys celebrating Christmas and he helped to bring back even more of the meaning of Christmas for me. We both like giving and receiving gifts, but mostly just being together is enough joy for us. This year (2008), I will spend Christmas in Germany with him and I am looking forward to it. Although the Christmas markets in Germany will be closed by the time I arrive there, he has already decorated the apartment with Christmas ornaments.
On the Saturday before Christmas day (2008), I invited seven of my nieces and nephews (2-8 years) over to my house for a Christmas pizza party. I bought presents for them and wanted to spend some time with them instead of just giving them the gifts and leaving right away. We planned to have pizza and watch a movie (Kung Fu Panda). A few minutes after they all arrived I had the "what was I thinking?" moment! (: There were children everywhere, screaming, laughing, crying, running, but none sleeping. We ate pizza, and then settled down to watch the movie. (Well, we made it through most of the movie anyway.)
The movie was finally over and the children became restless! They started having their kind of fun bouncing around! I sat there with my mother and sister and enjoyed every minute of it. The most touching moments of the day, which filled me with enough Christmas spirit to last a long time were, first, when they all piled on top of me hugging and kissing me over and over again! I will never forget this moment for as long as I live. Another moment was when one of my nieces bumped my nose with her head (ouch!). She kept coming back to me, hold both my cheeks with her tiny hands to kiss my nose. I was happy when their parents picked them up but these were the best reminders of what Christmas is truly about!
So for me, Christmas is a time of different kinds of gift giving. Young children (and some older ones too) enjoy opening their presents to see what Santa brought for them, or complaining about what Santa did not bring. During the Christmas season, I would be happy to receive the gift of a hug from a long lost friend, or a phone call from someone I haven't spoken to in a while, or a Christmas card that says "thinking of you," and especially the hugs and kisses I received while being smothered by my nieces and nephews. These are truly the most precious gifts of all and I've come full circle to truly appreciate them. I have also realized that it's not about where you are or what you get or even when you get it, but it's more about who you are with at Christmas time that truly makes it Christmas.
To all my family and friends, I send you a big hug and lots of kisses at Christmas time all year long. MERRY CHRISTMAS and PEACE AND LOVE ALWAYS!
Check Travel Postcards for more on my trip to Germany. FROHE WEIHNACHTEN!!
4 comments:
LOL on the kids. What exactly were you thinking? Safe travels in Germany. Have fun with the new in-laws!!!
I loved your story! Too precious that your niece held your face in her hands and kissed your nose! I'm sure you'll remember that forever! Have a wonderful Christmas! - Kathy
Thanks TD...I couldn't see the forest for the trees when I sent out the invitation! LOL! Looking forward to meeting the new in-laws and "being there" but not "getting there!"
Thanks for checking out ITFF Kathy. It will be one of my most memorable moments because she was so genuine and so innocent. It really hurt but I had to smile through the pain not to make her sad!(:
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