Merry Christmas!

    Christmas for my family is a variable occasion. When I was very young, I remember my mum setting up a huge Christmas tree in the living room. We would all decorate it. Pearl and I were short, so we mainly decorated the base with our favourite disney characters. We would cry, "where are the presents?  presents?" and watch as the presents sprout magically on Christmas morning. On the morning of Christmas, we would run down and gleefully look for the presents that belonged to us. Ah, the glories of youth, when decorum does not apply,

  As we grew older, we no longer set up the Christmas tree. Sometimes, we would have a big party at our house, or another relative's house, or we would go out to some glamourous place - sometimes, we just watched a movie, and it didn't really feel like Christmas at all. But, we were always together.

   This year, I suggested getting a real Christmas tree and suggested having a small Christmas party with Grandma, Auntie and Uncle. My little suggestion grew into a full blown wonder as my Mum took over. She is so extraordinary and I can only hope to be as good a hostess as her one day.

  She prepared two different table settings (one for a party on Christmas Eve and the family one on Christmas day) and prepared a veritable feast! The food was really wonderful and you felt as you could eat forever.

   I am always touched when I receive gifts. But, I was most overwhelmed when I gave my presents to Grandma. She looked taken aback and said, "But I didn't get you any presents". She looked at me and my sister who was sitting next to me. And, I smiled and told her I just wanted her to enjoy my presents. She looked almost sad when she said she only got presents for the maids, cheap simple gifts, because she knew my sister and me won't like those items and she couldn't afford expensive gifts. I told Grandma then with all my heart that we didn't need presents, we just wanted to eat her cooking. She smiled then and asked what we would like to eat. I told her anything, but especially her Agar Agar, and proceeded to eat them from the table.

   Dear reader, thank you for reading and I wish you a heartfelt Merry Christmas! I used all my birthday wishes this year for good health for those I love and care for, and that I am certain, includes you.