Happy Christmas 2014!

Banana leaves have been softened.  Well-seasoned pork and beef for the pastelles are simmering. Bread complete.  Pound cake is in the oven.  Pigs' feet for souse is in the pressure cooker,  Dishes are washed.  Rum punch is chilling in the refridgerator.  Christmas is almost here!

Have not been in the Christmas mood at all, I am not happy.  I am not sad.  I just don't feel Christmasy (yes, I do make up words).  Filled my St. Vincent de Paul hamper (did I tell you that I was so tired last Saturday night that I left a bag of groceries in the supermarket car park?)  LOL!  I only hoped that  the bag was claimed by someone truly needing those products contained within.  No Christmas feeling.  Gave monies to help others have a merry Christmas, bought gifts for some little ones and a couple of big ones.  Still nothing.  Tried walking along Charlotte Street ( the street that has the most sidewalk hawkers of clothing, carpeting, children's toys, sandals, buckets and mops to clean the house, curtains, cushions, kitchen towels, socks, drawers, colognes and perfumes, fresh greens, fruit and vegetables, meat shops, dress shops, beauty shops, beauty parlours.  Anything you want can be had on Charlotte Street and a lot cheaper than any other place in north Trinidad too.  Yes, this walk along the brightest and busiest street in north Trinidad gives off an energy of its own yet it could not awaken that excitement Christmas time brings.  Found it for a very short while one early morning last week.  The air was cool and sharp, dawn yet to break and the apartment smelt of the warm of rum and spices and limes used to make my rum punch that I sell and give as gifts.  The wonderful feeling of childhood came rushing back and I thought...need to get that new nightgown, just to ensure Santa comes.  Wore bright red lipstick for two weeks and I still didn't  feel like Christmas.  Then I realized that I am suffering with burn-out and what I needed was sleep.  Perhap, if I did more sleeping, that Christmas feeling would magically come.  So I decided to sleep whenever I could and I've been napping each and every time I see a bed!

Late last week, while waiting for transportation I got a shout-out from my friend Sharda and we headed into a fancy shop in Diego Martin for Sharda to buy fish and me to watch.  Ended up buying a teeny turkey to try to get into the Christmas mood.  This week, I tagged along with one of my colleagues Kerwin as he bought his family's supply of meats for Christmas and January one time.  We went to the street next to Charlotte Street, George Street where we headed to Mr. Roberts' butchery.  I ended up buying meats for pastelles and rice for my darling dog, Feo and a big duck for Sharda who is cooking roti and curried duck for Christmas Day lunch.  Still no Christmas mood.  Got a gift from one of the architectural groups with whom I work, still no Christmas mood.  I was beginning to wonder whether you lose the mood with old age.  Do you?  Can someone tell me?   Putting together wine and chocolates for dear Allison who patiently helped me with the statistical aspects of my thesis stirred a teeny, tiny spirit of Christmas within the old soul,  It didn't last for long. 

Christmas Eve brought Sharda coming to pick up her  and bringing along her sister, Nookie.  Nookie was in high spirits wanting to go shopping, at the last minute. She woke up my  mood so much so that Sharda or Shards, as I call her was on hercell telling everyone that Nookie and I are a combination for trouble since we were real eager to relax and have some fun.  LOL!   My darling Shards was literally sleeping on herself so much so that at one point while in the supermarket she was pushing someone else's cart to the checkout!  That was so funny and even funnier was watching Sharda trying to put the cart back in place before the 'owner' found out it was missing!  

After shopping and giving Sharda her duck, a quick clean-up of the apartment had to commence. This was the first time I had the opportunity to clean since my workload has been so heavy and Videsh was coming!  I just could not put him off this Christmas since he insisted that he would be dropping off the gift he and Vidia bought for me last year, 2013!  The hard and brisk work invigorated my spirit so while I was not complete (all the papers used in studying were neatly stored, but, the floors were not washed) as he and a friend walked in the door, we nevertheless had a lovely visit.  I began to feel like Christmas.  Suddenly, I saw the beauty of the orchids - yellow-green, deep purple and lilac.  Then another friend Kirk came to bring a few veggies, including the pumpkin for the 'pump-a-creme'  and kept my company while I kneaded the bread, one of which is for him.  The phone's ringing kept me busy talking with friends, all sending good wishes and invitations to share the Season with them.  I can feel the Christmas spirit rising.  God is in His heaven and there's a smile on my lips.  

It's often difficult to get that Christmas spirit  for so many reasons - if the body and mind is tired, where there are great challenges, memories of lost ones, be the dead or alive, creep into one's thoughts every once in a while or if there is no immediate person with whom to share the holiday activities, but as I saw over this short period, going through the motions triggers a Christmasy feeling. Looking forward to Mass Christmas morning.  I do so enjoy praying in community.

Share your ways of getting and keeping that Christmas spirit.  Christmas Day 2014 has arrived, with a cooling rain.  I wish my God "Happy Birthday!"  I wish you all my dear friends, near and far a Christmas season filled with peace, love and joy!  Be good to each other.

P.S. Just opened 2 Christmas gifts and Santa did not forget me at all!  He knew I was more nice than naughty.  I'll show you on Boxing Day, okay.  God bless!