As any of my friends can tell you and almost all of my family, this year was not a merry season. I did not want to yet could I afford to buy gifts. I did not feel like decorating and wished that this holiday would soon pass. I had planned to sleep most of it away and then fast forward through the rest; it however did not work out that way.
I was awakened from a not so pleasant dream by my mother who wanted me to clean the tub. I was pissed, as after I permed my hair I made sure I returned it to the state it was before I used it. Not having cleanser, I used some purple cleaner that she handed me and happened to work better. I returned to bed and had difficulty falling back to sleep as the sun had already risen.
Tossing and turning I received a text message wishing me a merry Christmas from Zach, to which I replied, "To early." An hour or two later my mother started to scream for my sister and I. With her not saying what needed to be done after each yell I figured I stay half asleep. She stopped yelling and I then felt bad, as I knew, she wanted to open gifts and I probably hurt her feeling by not making a big deal or even pretending for her sake.
I half listened as gifts were opened and she guessed what hers was without even touching the box. I knew she had gotten me a gift card, and I was satisfied with the idea, no need to rush to open it. I awoke finally and started to get ready. I was excited to wear the present I bought myself, a chain with a Whinny the Pooh charm. It was going to go great with my black shirt that has silver and white lines running through it.
I showered, shaved, dressed, and talked to my sister who told me what I was to get from my stepfather for Christmas, 60 dollars. I told everyone I needed money and why. I know why I got the gift card from my mother and I am completely satisfied, to be quite honest from her money would not have meant as much. In the middle of getting dressed, she gave me a big kiss on the cheek and ensured that I had an imprint of red lips on my face.
Once I dressed completely and put on makeup to hide my puffy face, from a lack of sleep the past few days, I joined the rest of my family and drank a cup of tea. It was not long before we left to continue with family tradition. We went to my grandmother's house as it has been done since the birth of the first grandchild 24 years ago. We waited for the entire family to arrive, which includes my grandmother, her three daughters, her one son, my stepfather, my aunt's husband, 8 blood grand children, and one adopted. The eldest of us had to work, thank god.
We had breakfast, which any black family can tell you a truly good meal for any family event consist of fried chicken and waffles. I think that has been a tradition for the past maybe 8 or 10 years. Then the gifts my grandmother bought for all while uncle john bought for the little ones and his favorite, my sister. My aunt Shunie bought for the little ones, and thank god, she did. My youngest aunt has absolutely no fashion since; her daughter is dressed like a boy and her son an old man. To rectify this, my aunt bought my cousin clothes to make her look like a little girl. My cousin after trying them all on decided to keep an outfit on.
I was cynical and was quick to make snappy comments and jokes about what annoyed me. My cousins and sister joined in because they felt the same way.
After the gift opining, this was done in size order according to gifts and I going third having gotten a wallet, had bid farewell and headed to my next stop. I called Brenda who has become part of my Christmas tradition, only to find out I missed her, so I grabbed my cards and to my Grandma Betty's.
It was perfect timing, as I was sitting in my car filling out the cards my aunt pulled aside me and had my cousin in the car with her. I hadn't seen him since we worked together. We chatted and I went in the house.
It was just how it is every year. Eating and merry making, Card reading and joke telling, it was how Christmas with the family should be. I was quite shocked as I left my grandmother's house. I had to admit I had a really nice Christmas. I got a decent amount of money, and had a good time with the people I loved.
Was it because I lowered my expectations, or was it because the spirit just came late? Whatever it was I hope the feeling comes sooner next year so that I don’t risk hurting any feelings or feeling bad at the end of the day. So while I still feel warm in heart I wish merry Christmas to all and to all the happiest New Year.
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