But I am sure that I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round… as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely. – Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

my daughter loves to pose for the camera

One more week to go and we’ll be celebrating the most fun-filled event of the year. Christmas in the Pinoy tradition is considered the merriest season for it allows people from all walks of life to share blessings, material or otherwise. Old grudges are erased and genuine acts of forgiveness are welcomed. Chilled hearts are defrosted and mirth is spread to one and all hence, bringing us closer to the Great Example that is Jesus Christ.

Children are especially thrilled to receive avalanche of gifts from ninongs, ninangs, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Never forget as well how they look forward to Santa Claus’ presents. For adults like me, it can mean ignoring the temptation to pig out which can be quite too hard to resist. Or forgetting about the ordeal one has to go through just to have a decent weight. It’s a time when one can take a pass at constantly estimating cholesterol intake.

As a true blue Pinoy, I definitely wouldn’t want to miss the fun that this joyous season brings by dwelling on negative emotions. There may be some gripes (thanks but no thanks to recession, calamities, and forces beyond human control) but hey, wouldn’t it be nice to end the year and start 2010 with happy thoughts? Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, a humble Tibetan Lama, guru and a master of well being said to attain happiness is akin to what experts do.  Constant practice. That being said, I am channeling positive (electrically-charged) energies! Don’t get bothered if you see a lady laughing like crazy. That person might just be me.

Anyhoo, this year we didn’t have a tree but it’s okay. What counts is the Yuletide spirit within us. After all, Christmas cheer does not depend on the amount of lights or trees or decors you put inside your home. Initially, we planned of disposing the  old tree to make way for a new one. Its been with us for two years or so, you can literally visualize the battered branches and faded color. Unfortunately, hubby’s been neck-deep with work. It was impossible to scour the nearest malls and supermarkets for decors. Nevertheless, I still found a way to make full use of it by recycling. Using a small pliers, I cut some of the parts and formed them into circle, placed christmas balls and ribbons around, and voila! Got a colorful Christmas wreath.

In the spirit of Christmas, I say sorry to those whom I have offended. Sorry everyone. Hihihihi. For those who gave me heartaches, headaches, tummy aches, toothaches (all the aches there is!) – I forgive you. Peace, love and happiness be with you all! :-)

Maogmang Kapaskuhan satuya gabos. Dios mabalos!