It so happens that December is my most favorite month of the year. There are so many beautiful memories attached to this month and the holiday season as a whole!
Growing up in Lakshadweep meant there were no bakeries around until I was in 8th standard or so. Even then, papa somehow managed to get a cake flown in from Kochi or Calicut to coincide with Christmas and my birthday (I still have no clue how he managed this feat every year without fail). We would also go big decorating the Casuarina tree outside and even have a small tree inside our home! We really went all out for Christmas.
I have tried to create the same magic for our girls from the time they were small kids. The girls would write a letter to Santa every Christmas with their wish list. They were always careful with their list though, they made sure Santa didn’t end up spending too much, yet at the same time ensured their friend received a gift from Santa as well. As for us, we somehow managed to keep the magic alive until the younger one turned 11. That’s a good innings indeed! The girls even have distinct memories of hearing bells jingling and seeing flashes of red at midnight. Oh, the things you do for your children 🙂
Christmas this year has been very different though. With both mom and dad not around this Christmas, its all been a bit overwhelming to say the least. After Papa passed away some 24 years ago, mom had sort of built this tradition of buying us dresses for our birthdays. She would insist on taking me out to buy a new dress just to ensure I was not spending the money on something else. She still managed to send stuff for a couple of years after we moved to Adelaide, and then Covid hit and everything went downhill. I thought I was prepared to make it through this season, yet ended up faltering so many times. I honestly didn’t even have the energy to put up the Christmas tree or the decorations, and the girls and Freddy stepped in.
And my friends went above and beyond with their thoughtful gestures and messages these past few weeks. They literally stepped up and made me go, “I lucked out in the friends department”. For someone who doesn’t like surprises, I was even surprised with a birthday dinner! And when it was time to blow the candle and make a wish, it just dawned on me that I have everything I have ever wanted and more. My parents may not be with me physically anymore, but I do carry their love in my heart and that is enough. For I do have them both walking beside me always, and I couldn’t really ask for more.
I am a firm believer in the magic of the season, especially the magic that happens around the Christmas tree. It radiates so much warmth, joy and gives everyone some much-needed cheer. And I think bailey just makes everything 10 times better by taking out the baubles with a swish of his tail every time he walks by. So here’s to family, friends, four legged friends and unconditional love.
