A Different Christmas
Nine years ago, I went back to the Philippines to be with my family. It was going to be my mom's 60th birthday and we planned a big event for her. She knew of the activities because it was sort of a request from her. We just made sure that everything was in order.
That day when visitors started arriving as early as four in the afternoon, we were all in a frenzy for we have nothing prepared at that moment. Food were ordered but will be delivered at six so we got some ready meals for the two bus loads that my mom, apparently, invited from the province. I fondly remember calling a party rental place to supply us with more chairs and fifty chairs were delivered to the house. Since we do not have a lift in the building, the man refused to bring them up the stairs so I ended carrying them and it was gruelling. I was panting incessantly with the last three chairs. We had around 150 people in that party while simultaneously, a wedding was happening on the ground floor of the building for 100 people.
Anyway, it was the best party ever. There were plenty of food and entertainment. There were songs rendered by some solo artists, choirs, bands and dancing from pretty ladies to the amusement of the men. There were plenty of songs and my mom's favourite, karaoke singing. She was a belter as she used to sing in clubs and in radio stations during her younger years.
After that memorable event, we decided to do away with the birthday/Christmas parties we do every year for some personal reasons. And for the last three years, it was just as simple as a small gathering of family members, not even complete, with some food and drinks. It became less and less frivolous but more and more sad. We knew that time was getting shorter. We had been anticipating something, not that we wanted to, but it sure did happen.
Last year, I opted not to go home for personal reasons. I didn't put any tree or ornaments in my house. It was like being a scrooge, not acknowledging the spirit of Christmas. But I was home in January and gave my mom an elephant necklace. She couldn't even put it around her neck. Her health was frail and failing.
This Christmas, there will be no celebration whatsoever. It will be our first Christmas without her though we will always remember her as a co-celebrant of Jesus as they both celebrate their birthdays on the 25th. May the Lord bless the soul of my mom and may we be granted peace in our household as we start anew with our lives.
That day when visitors started arriving as early as four in the afternoon, we were all in a frenzy for we have nothing prepared at that moment. Food were ordered but will be delivered at six so we got some ready meals for the two bus loads that my mom, apparently, invited from the province. I fondly remember calling a party rental place to supply us with more chairs and fifty chairs were delivered to the house. Since we do not have a lift in the building, the man refused to bring them up the stairs so I ended carrying them and it was gruelling. I was panting incessantly with the last three chairs. We had around 150 people in that party while simultaneously, a wedding was happening on the ground floor of the building for 100 people.
Anyway, it was the best party ever. There were plenty of food and entertainment. There were songs rendered by some solo artists, choirs, bands and dancing from pretty ladies to the amusement of the men. There were plenty of songs and my mom's favourite, karaoke singing. She was a belter as she used to sing in clubs and in radio stations during her younger years.
After that memorable event, we decided to do away with the birthday/Christmas parties we do every year for some personal reasons. And for the last three years, it was just as simple as a small gathering of family members, not even complete, with some food and drinks. It became less and less frivolous but more and more sad. We knew that time was getting shorter. We had been anticipating something, not that we wanted to, but it sure did happen.
Last year, I opted not to go home for personal reasons. I didn't put any tree or ornaments in my house. It was like being a scrooge, not acknowledging the spirit of Christmas. But I was home in January and gave my mom an elephant necklace. She couldn't even put it around her neck. Her health was frail and failing.
This Christmas, there will be no celebration whatsoever. It will be our first Christmas without her though we will always remember her as a co-celebrant of Jesus as they both celebrate their birthdays on the 25th. May the Lord bless the soul of my mom and may we be granted peace in our household as we start anew with our lives.
Comments
Naku, I'm sure wherever your Mom is right now, she is now happy watching over you.
Cheer up na po kayo :) Paskong Pasko oh, there are tons of reasons to be happy!
Happy Merry Jolly Christmas sir Jonathan. Inom tayo ng red wine!
I will be happy and merry because I look forward to what is to happen. I am also glad that you are always around fiel. Thank you so much for the company, web wise.
I do miss her because she was the glue to our family relationship. I opt for simplicity and finding peace by being by myself is the best gift I can give myself this Christmas. Have a merry Christmas to you and hopefully we can be buddies this coming year sharing all about teaching.
Celebrating the Christmas knowing that the family is no longer complete....
* cyberhugs *
“When someone is in your heart, they're never truly gone. They can come back to you, even at unlikely times.”
“There's a story behind everything. How a picture got on a wall. How a scar got on your face. Sometimes the stories are simple, and sometimes they are hard and heartbreaking. But behind all your stories is always your mother's story, because hers is where yours begin.”
I hope you'll still have a meaningful Christmas. *hugs*
If there is one thing that binds our connection is the mother stories we share. Cyberhugs as well.
I was awakened by my mobile phone as there was a new mail and it was this comment you wrote for this post. I read it twice and cried knowing today is different because she is gone and that it is different because there are people like you.
I always admire your wisdom. Thank you for sharing them here. God bless!
Season's greetings and new year wishes in advance !
Happy New Year to you as well, been long not seen you blogging.
:)
Always smile, okay? Smiling never fails in making one's heart feel lighter, even when its load seems to be as heavy as Earth. I know because that's what I do when I'm down. :)
Emo me! I am always the stern looking person but I will keep that in mind.
Really, and what kind of smile do you do when you are down, the naughty one?
Joking aside, thanks and have a great day!
HAppy Birthday to your Mom, she is never gone. She is an angel watching over you :D Merry Christmas again :)
Hindi ah. Wide smile lang naman. Yung feel good na smile. Smile as if you are smiling to someone you love.
@yccos
Haynako po. Pinaiyak ako ng book na yan. Grabe. Mama's boy kasi ako, kaya affected much ako sa story. Kahit sa second reading ko, napahagulgol pa rin ako. :P
Mga book worms! Thanks for the greetings and I know that my mom is always there for me. Happy New Year cher!
Parang gusto ko na rin basahin yang book na yan, mahilig kasi akong umiyak. Emo munch talaga!
I will, isa ka sa mga ime-meet ko and will try to make arrangements.
Tama, too much of anything is not healthy. Kung sobrang saya, hahanapin mo yan lagi. Kung sobrang lungkot, nakakaiyak naman. Kung sobrang pagod o busy, hindi din healthy.
Christmas is in the heart, tama yan! So everyday should be a time for giving, and forgiving. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
kala ko masaya pero ganun pala nanyari,
sorry to hear that, but the bright side of it is that she is now celebrating her bday along with Christ in heaven
Ur mom will always remember the good things and happiest moments nio ...
Smile :)
Hugs and kisses ,
Kulapitot