A sunshiney Christmas

Happy holidays everyone!!

Yesterday was the big day…CHRISTMAS..and boy do Kittitians love Christmas. A few nights ago I sent a text message to one of the women who goes to my church, Jestina, asking if I could see her on Christmas day, and she told me to just come to the Christmas morning church service. I then asked what time the bus would come, and she said 5 A.M. I guess I’m no connoisseur on Christmas church services, but I have never heard of such an early Christmas day service. It did work out in my benefit though, because I got to walk around before church and take pictures of the Christmas light display in Cayon Village before the service. I love seeing Christmas lights in a tropical setting...it just looks a little off, like when dogs wear clothing. Except a lot less depressing. After the service we all made breakfast which was a major bonus for getting up so early.

As much as I don’t follow too many holiday traditions, I do love Christmas. I dont take it to the level of absurdity, and I never see myself being that woman who wears audible Christmas sweaters with bells and plastic Santa sleighs sewn on, but for some reason I cant help but get sucked into the warmth and joy of the season. I don’t know if it’s all the excited children, the commercialized colors and decorations that give a Pavlovian reminder of vacation, or the joyful energy that is usually circulating amongst people during this time. I’d like to think it is a time that brings about forgiveness, kindness, and generosity. People search through their pockets for some extra change for people in need, give donations to charities, and overlook past differences in the name of holiday spirit. I guess I just wish it wasn’t only once a year that so many people expose the truly beautiful side of human interaction.

Yesterday at church I don’t think anyone could deny the resonance of holiday cheer that sweetened the atmosphere around us. Everyone was smiling, people were offering to help with making breakfast, and conversation was full and harmonious with laughter. The sense of family overflowed beyond the nuclear, and enveloped us all under a blanket of love and gratitude for each others presence. Even though I was away from my real family and missed them so very much, yesterday I felt like a part of another family. I hope that every day we can remember the importance of basic, human kindness; human in the sense that we can empathize with one anothers situations and realize that we are all taking on the tiring and sometimes difficult journey that is life. We hold the ability to either ease or amplify the burdens that those around us are feeling, and with time, we can also realize that when we lighten the load for others through simple acts of compassion, ours too will release pressure.

I hope all of your holidays celebrations bring you joy and love. If you can appreciate the small things, like the sense of human interconnectedness that is always present around us, I’m sure you can have a rich and meaningful holiday, regardless of not having all your family present, or getting the presents you may have thought you wanted.

Much love and Paz,

alisa