Childhood memories
The holiday season has always been magical. For Thanksgiving, my parents hosted both sides of the family. My mom would have two ovens going, tickling our noses with turkey, Greek food, and Italian dishes. We would clean all day and set a table for 40+ people.
The following day, my parents would scurry into the attic and bring down boxes of Christmas decorations. With the fireplace crackling and Christmas tunes playing, we added bulbs, lights, and garland to our Christmas tree. Lights would be hung outside, and our family room wall would be plastered with more Christmas decorations. We wrote letters to Santa, headed to the store for Christmas pictures, and anxiously waited for Santa’s arrival.
On Christmas Eve, we went to our grandparents’ place. On the way, we eagerly searched the sky for Rudolph’s blinking, red nose. A fit of giggles would erupt when the red nose was spotted. Dinner consisted of pasta and other yummy Italian dishes. We kids could barely sit still waiting for Santa to visit us with his sack full of gifts. One of my uncles would dress up and give us presents our parents purchased for us. It was a great tradition.
The following day, my three sisters and I would wake our parents up and drag them to the tree to see what Santa delivered. Butterflies tickled our stomachs as we ripped off the wrapping paper to see what surprises were in store for us. We would then head over to my aunt’s for a fabulous Greek dinner and playtime with our cousins.
The magic of Christmas never ends, and its greatest gifts are family and friends. — Unknown
2020 barricade
Fast forward a few decades when my parents divorced. Some of the traditions continued, while others morphed. What never transformed was being surrounded by family and love. Until 2020. COVID changed everything.
Thanksgiving was different this year. I still went to my cousin’s. However, with 12 people sitting at the dinner table, the room felt eerily empty. My cousin’s table is usually bustling with 30+ people. All our traditional Thanksgiving dishes garnished the table. Since my sister stayed home with her husband, my cousin made the mashed potatoes. As my aunt celebrated with her immediate family, I made the pastichio, a Greek lasagna. Our plates were full, but our hearts were empty. So many faces were missing.
I still enjoyed the day, and I am glad I did not sit at home in my condo alone. This was something I had contemplated. I loved playing games with my cousins after dinner, which we normally do not do. With a smaller group, this was possible. But, I wish I could have seen the rest of my family. Who would have ever thought a pandemic would keep those I love away from me?
This Thanksgiving, I was thankful for all the family time I took for granted. I was thankful that I have people in my life to miss. I was thankful for all the memories. And I could not wait to go back to a room of 30+ people. Because it is not the food or the holiday festivities that make Thanksgiving. It’s the people you love that make the day special. That’s all that really matters.
COVID Christmas
With Christmas around the corner, my plans have been up in the air. Last year, I attended a plethora of Christmas parties leading up to the grand finale. This year, I was not even sure if I would see my family. Due to COVID, my mom is stuck in Florida. My sisters and I usually do a gift exchange or buy a gift for each other. This year, we decided not to buy presents. What is the point if we do not even know if we are going to spend any time together? Unwrapping a Christmas present in July does not sound fun. Without being in each other’s presence, the gifts are meaningless.
I almost went to Florida so my mom would not be on her own. But with the numbers increasing, we decided the risk was not worth it. Once the decision was made, I finally bought a tree and broke out the decorations.
As of yesterday, two of my sisters, their husbands, and I will spend Christmas morning together, in masks with no eating or drinking. We all have different risk levels, so this will minimize any of us contaminating each other. My sister who is hosting will put together a saran wrap ball, a recent tradition, and we will open a few presents.
I am thankful I will see them. Because not seeing my immediate family for Thanksgiving and Christmas feels like a thousand knives stabbing my heart. It’s not about the presents. The Christmas spirit is about the people you love who matter the most.
It’s not about your presents but it is about your presence. Therein lies the spirit of the holiday season. — Julianne O’Connor
How COVID has made me reflect
I have always loved each holiday for different reasons. Easter was special from a religious aspect. My church would go dark at midnight, and then the priest would light one candle. He would use his candle to light another person’s candle. Eventually, the church would flicker like a bunch of fireflies. We would take our candles and walk a loop outside. The goal was to keep the candles lit until we got home to bless our house. We would then head over to my aunt’s to have a bunch of Greek goodies.
Halloween is filled with spooky outings, haunted houses, costumes, decorations, and parties. Trick-or-treating as a kid was a hoot. I always traded for Reese’s peanut butter cups.
With turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, and traditional Greek dishes, Thanksgiving was always a treat. Thanksgiving also kicked off a bunch of family traditions. Christmas parties, presents, dinners, cousins’ night, and then Chinese food for New Year’s Day.
Giving gifts is always fun. Although finding the perfect gift can be stressful, the act of giving is amazing. Sitting by the tree and unwrapping presents has always enchanted me.
I usually spend New Year’s Eve with friends. And then for New Year’s Day, I am back with my family, eating more food and wrapping up the season’s festivities. By this time, we have spent many great days together.
Although each holiday has something to offer, there is one thing that remains constant. And that is family love. COVID has minimized my family time. The food, presents, and hustle-bustle are still there. But 2020 is not the same. Family time has been compromised. In the end, the holidays are different this year because my family interaction has been scaled back, thanks to COVID.
I will never take my family for granted, again. The holidays can come and go. But the memories are built on spending time with family. Nothing else matters. Not the presents. Not the delicious food. Not the traditions. Those things add to the holiday fun, but they are not what makes the holiday. The folks you love bring those things to life. Otherwise, they are meaningless. Do you really want to hold a candle and walk in a circle by yourself?
The people in our lives are what create the holiday spirit. And that’s why the holidays are different this year. Everything is the same, but it’s not. This holiday season, be thankful for your family and those you love. Near or far, they always live in your heart. That’s what the Christmas spirit is really about.
—
This post was previously published on Hello, Love.
***
If you believe in the work we are doing here at The Good Men Project and want a deeper connection with our community, please join us as a Premium Member today.
Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here.
—
Photo credit: Gina Pacelli