Merry Christmas 2022. I am sitting in the middle of my bed in my comfy gray robe, gray PJs, and fuzzy socks, the sunlight is streaming in from the windows, and the delicious smell of pepperpot is coming from the kitchen. So nostalgic. And I thought it would be the perfect time to say Merry Christmas Dahlings. I know it is politically correct to say Happy Holidays, but it is Merry Christmas for me. 

My morning started with a conversation. My eighty-something-year-old great-aunt Daphne called from London. I woke up not at my best. But when I got on the phone with her, she was so vibrant and filled with joy—it was infectious.

There was so much for her to complain about, as I found out later in the conversation. But she focused on all the beautiful things happening. The snow, the children, playing, speaking with me, her children making dinner, how she is trying a new brand of Brandy, et cetera. 

There she was, my eight-something-year-old aunt nursing the flu, having eye surgery soon, and so much more, but she was vibrant, thankful, kind, and filled with joy. And here I am, things are not great, but there I have so much to be grateful for—I felt so ashamed. I knew it was time to change my attitude. 

Happy Holidays—Merry Christmas or whatever you choose to celebrate.

Everyone celebrates something different these days, so Happy/Merry whatever you celebrate. I love that everyone has a chance to choose. But unfortunately, during the Holidays, we become so busy doing so much that most of us can not enjoy the moments, have fun and be thankful.

My aunt Niche says it is too much to do for one day. And while I agree it is for one day. However, I believe there is so much magic in preparing for this one day if we do it correctly with the right intentions.

Traditions

A friend once said that we have 365 days to prepare for the Holidays. Yet we run around during the Holiday season stressed and overwhelmed. I agree we have 365 days, but I also believe some people find comfort and purpose in running around and being overwhelmed.

For example, my aunt J finds purpose in helping others. Today she made Christmas dinner for her son’s friend and his wife because she recently had a baby, and she made dinner for our cousin, all before she made dinner for her home.

I was raised in Guyana, South America, and we did the Holidays quite differently than in the United States. It is about family and friends, food and fun. But, first, we would break up our homes [I can not remember how long before the Holidays].

But we would remove the rugs and curtains, push the furniture to the side, and then clean the house from top to bottom. And on Christmas Eve, we would put the house back together with new curtains, et cetera. Then, we would wrap presents while my mom made the pepperpot.

And wake up on Christmas morning to the smell of delicious pepperpot. At the same time, I have modernized those traditions a bit. But I still keep them because I love and enjoy them and because they make me feel at home.

While traditions can sometimes feel restrictive, they can be modernized and free us to be ourselves in unimaginable ways. Moreover, our traditions keep us grounded—they make us feel safe and give us a sense of belonging.

So whatever traditions you keep or the new ones you have started—do them with love, kindness, and intentions. Enjoy them with those you love and support others in their traditions if you have not made any of your own.

Savor the Moments

Christmas [the Holidays] is the time when we open our hearts—it has a way of inspiring reflection. It is when we all want to be a little kinder and give to others.

But today, I want you to pause the busyness and enjoy the little things. The little something for you might be spending time with family or friends, baking cookies, watching Holiday movies, singing along to Christmas carols, and so much more.

Remember that each moment is like a snowflake, never to be created again. So take the time to look, see, and believe that although things may not be going the best way [if things are not going your way], there is always room for every story to have a better ending.

So Merry Christmas, Hanukkah sameach, Happy Holidays, Happy Kwanzaa, and everything between my Dahlings.