It's Christmas once again and I'm glad I was able to hear mass before the baby Jesus' coming. It's sad that I wasn't able to do 9mornings in preparation for Christmas because I have work to attend to and though this is nothing new to me, I wish I could complete it one day.
 |
| Christmas 2011 with friends, during our little Christmas Party |
As early as September, you see Christmas lights been setting up. October, decorations for Christmas were coming head to head with Halloween and come November, your last song syndrome would be Christmas in Our Hearts. December. Ahh. This is chaos---bazaars are everywhere, SALE would be everyone else's favorite word, traffic jams are all over the metro, flights are all full, not to mention the aircraft's overhead bins. More to that, what's most noticeable are the smiles coming from people. May it be because they get to have the bonus they've been waiting for all year, or the fact that since most Filipinos are working their ass off abroad, this is the (only) time they get to spend together, with their own families. This is what they've all been working hard for the rest of the year-- to bring something home for Christmas. And with us left here, we are all excited to physically know they're here for us more than what material thing they have brought for us.
I may not be the best when it comes to saying how I actually feel but, really, this is the season I get really emotional about a lot of things.
I hadn't known how important it is to be with family for Christmas until I got into my job. We all know Filipinos are scattered all over the globe , and they are like ants feasting on a chocolate bar during Christmas. They would travel, however far they are, just to get a taste of sweet family gatherings and sugarland of being in their homes. And seeing these Filipinos step into the cabin, with so much longing in their eyes, but covers it up with that curves plastered onto their mouths; Their overflowing love for everyone they left in the Philippines, are matched by how much they pay on excess baggage but don't seem to mind because it's much more important to bring home something for everyone; their enthusiasm, their eagerness to go home are always on top of the minutes and hours the flight may be delayed; that it's as if they see me as one of their children, or sister, that they keep greeting me--- these things make me float while greeting them as they pass through, and it makes me easier to help them carry their bags. This is one of the few moments in my life that I am happiest to be of service to them.
 |
| Christmas 2010 at Radisson Blu |
One thing I'm always in awe of, are Christmas Trees. I'm always fascinated with beautiful Christmas trees set up in malls or Christmas decorations in public places, most especially in homes. I couldn't remember myself helping my family set up a beautiful one mainly because in my father's side of the family where we lived, they don't celebrate Christ's coming. So I always get envious of my cousins because they have this huge Christmas tree that they set up together during October. I've always believed that Christmas trees are satellites that help Santa find nice children because every Christmas, there are a lot of gifts under their tree for my cousins. Since we don't have one, Santa couldn't find us, hence not too much gifts for Christmas. My gifts are usually given by my aunts and uncles. But mind you, I with my siblings, wouldn't be left out because everything that we wore during every Christmas was new, courtesy of my Dad's bonus and my additional capricious stuff, courtesy of my aunt who doesn't have a kid of her own. Most of my relatives say that I am her favorite and I would have to agreed with them on that.
You see, while I was growing up , my father would spend Noche Buena with his friends. Most of the years were spent in my bed come the clock hits 12 midnight. I don't blame my father for that, he actually thought us to be strong and don't get too emotionally attached to the occasion. Besides, it made me realize how badly I wanted surprises for Christmas, and exchanging gifts, not opening them until midnight. It made me look forward to wrapping gifts, and writing notes for my nieces and nephews and friends and of course, my family. Now that I have the means to give, I have things to look forward to. And hopefully, someday, I'd be able to share the rest of my Christmases with my own family, merrily kissing each other under a big white Christmas Tree that we set up together.
There are a lot of material things that I want for myself this season because I lost too much things this year. But realizing that I could live without them made me pray for something more that just what I wanted. My prayers mostly were about giving thanks for everything that I have in my life now---my family who's always been so supportive of everything I do and who always treat me as a kid even if I'm grown up (in a positive way, only because I am the youngest and I have to admit , I like the attention.), our health , my job, my friends, and not asking Him for things that I lack of today.
So I wish everyone a happy merry Christmas no matter where you are in the world! Let this season bring us even more closer to our loved ones, to give more to people who need it and receive more love and affection from people who freely gives us that. Never give the up that thought of every day being Christmas. So fill your coming days with love so 2013 would bring you something big, bigger that what you can give. :)
Xoxo,
Mae
