Christmas means family gathering
Christmas is the time of the year, we spend with family and friends. It is time of the year when we create happy memories that will last a life time. However, have you ever dreamt about having Christmas alone at home without any family members or friends? It can be easy to yes but when the day of celebration comes, reality-checks drop in. You feel that little bit of loneliness creeping by. Today, would have been my 30 years spending Christmas in Australia, almost 10 years without the loved-ones that has changed my life and families back home.
I felt a little lost at first but sadly, I had to come to grasp with it and accept that life is always filled with full of surprises. This doesn’t meant that my celebrations won’t continue, it just meant that adapting, modifying and accepting to a new way of celebrating the season without family and loved ones.
Living in Australia, a country with many different faiths, however Christmas is still widely celebrated everywhere across the country. Whether they’re believers or not in what it stands for but it is a time for family gatherings around the table and opening those anticipated presents.
As I walk into any shopping centres, it is chaotic and all you hear is the voices of people in search for that perfect present. Christmas carols are heard throughout the shopping complex and yet, I still don’t feel the vide of the festive season approaching. It is a strange feeling and it doesn’t gives me an urge to buy a present for anyone nor either me receiving one.
The stores have been filled with huge range of Christmas trees and decorations and never ending Christmas carols. I haven’t had any second thought of decorating my home, not even my favourite decorations displayed. Leaving the thoughts behind I felt that, it is a much simpler affair with a bottle of whisky instead.
Christmas Day comes, the weather in Cairns is always very unpleasant with warm and humid temperatures and sometimes down-pouring of rain which is unbearable for outdoor parties and BBQs. My Christmas eve was quietly spent at home watching DVD’s and relaxing with my beautiful dog “Mindi” running around the lounge chasing each other. To others it may feel strange but to me, it is a very joyous moment and many more to come before the end of our life.
Christmas Day
My Christmas Day morning was spent catching up with family and friends over the phone before heading to a friend’s place for Christmas lunch, spending most of the day there. Yes, I was looking forward to a great lunch and the day was to be well spent in the pool and relaxing with a good book.
My friends have always been good host to me over the years. John has always been the cook among them and he always puts his heart into a meal. It was going to be entertaining but there will be no crackers, presents, funny jokes or even wearing a silly hat. We will have good old records playing at the same time having the benefit of great views and ocean breezes.
Our luncheon started off with few drinks before our first-course was brought to the table which was absolutely delicious. As I love seafood dishes, this appetiser with the mix of oysters, kilpatrick, prawns and crab meat – all home made and carefully crafted, just made the beginning of the day even more worthy to celebrate. This then followed by home-made pumkin soup and roasted lamb ribs and mix vegetables. This was truly an perfect luncheon with good company.
Christmas Day is done and yes, everyone will be start looking forward to New Year’s Eve. That’s when the cities around the world really comes alive and even in our sleepy neighbourhoods , the streets are humming with excitement. Most bars and restaurants are flooded with patrons, celebrating with live musics on every corner. The fireworks are amazing and by mid-night, the skies are lit up with colour and the esplanade is crowded with expats, locals and tourists all joining together to ring in the New Year.
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Categories: LIFESTYLE
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