The Christmas holidays have always been the best time of year for me and my family. It was never really just about the gifts and the food; though those were welcome bonuses, but about family. It was just the sheer pleasure of having everyone over from breakfast to dinner and even a huge sleepover where Boxing Day was usually an outing to the creek. That was ages ago and I miss those days so much! Why do we have to grow up?!
The memories are still fresh and I refuse to let them go. But this time is so much different. The one big happy family has been split into multiple little families with very few remaining in Guyana. My slice of the family moved too and for many years we held on to that family bonding tradition. But again, things change and now we don’t even put up a tree, though we still have that close bond.
I do miss decorating. For years the task of decorating was my responsibility. It was the only time of the year I would actually help to clean up.
I have a close family so we still cook just to celebrate us being together and in many ways we are creating our own family traditions. Those values will remain forever.
Forever anticipating the holidays, the entire month of December is a huge festivity for me. Heck! I even have holiday clothes. That’s right; I have a tie with Santa Claus on it, a Santa hat, red socks, red and white clothing and a Keep Your Day Job! Christmas t-shirt with Santa on it saying, “Don’t stop believing”. Even wore it to work on a few occasions (LOL).
I have always loved the holidays, and I always will.
Just because of that feeling, you know? Of course you do, you would have to be Scrooge not to get that feeling of generosity and happiness.
Guyanese should just be this happy all the time; I would get free drops all year round. Let me explain.
I was walking on UG Campus earlier this week when a lady pulled up beside me and asked if I wanted a drop. Bearing in mind that the weather was soppy, I couldn’t care who she was! Free drop! She said she frequently reads the Saturday Stabroek and we’re in a class together where she observes my presentations and took a liking to my “style”.
During our drive we had such a lovely conversation on family traditions around Christmas. The house breaking, polishing of floors, decorating, Christmas morning pepperpot, garlic pork, baked chicken, stuffing, mashed potatoes, black cake (AHHH!), lighting of the trees, carolling at home with the children and then finally obeying the “12 Days of Christmas” rule, all decorations had to be down by January 6.
Now, as a young adult I see the harsh reality behind the holidays, and I wrote about this in November. But one can never escape the holiday spirit. The lady really made me think about my childhood days and how we Guyanese have our traditions too.
We just have a few days left, so share the holiday spirit; not just the gifts and the alcohol but the enjoyment of being with family and friends and keep that happiness all year round.
Happy Holidays from my family to yours.
(Jairo Rodrigues)