MY GIFT TO YOU—GET YOUR FREE EBOOK—“THE 5-DAY JOURNEY TO CULTURAL AWARENESS”!
Christmas and the end-of-the-year holidays are full of joyful festivities—lights, family, friends, music, presents, food, etc.
For some, anyway . . .
“Tis the season to be jolly,” right?
For some, anyway . . .
Not for Everyone
I’ve been reminded that it’s not a joyful celebration for everyone around the world.
I recently chatted with one of my dear friends who lives here in Spain. She moved from France last year—far from her family and friends. She sits alone in her apartment during these days of celebration. It’s lonely and hard. She’s a lonely international. She has nowhere to go for the holidays—no family, no friends.
This morning, I texted my good friend back in the United Stated who recently lost her husband. It’s her children’s first Christmas without their father. It’s heartbreaking and heavy.
I can remember two years ago when we were in the U.S. for Christmas. It was an unexpected and unwanted transition. Our family arrived on American soil and hit culture shock big time—hard.
No, Christmas isn’t always happy and festive. For some, it’s the most difficult time of the year.
Loss, death, war, poverty . . . life is hard . . . especially during the holidays.
Go and serve dinner in a soup kitchen on Christmas Eve, and you’ll see.
Joys and Challenges
For our family this year, the holidays have also been full of joys and challenges.
Perhaps you can relate.
We experienced some disappointments and unplanned events, but we tried to remain thankful and grateful.
Our family had big plans for a family reunion. We rented a house in Portugal, hoping that Vincent’s parents and my mother would join us for Christmas vacation.
Having family with us for our first Christmas in Spain would have been a true gift!
The plans included celebrating Pierre’s 7th birthday together on Christmas Eve and enjoying having all four boys under one roof.
Disappointment
A few months ago, my mother informed us that she couldn’t join us for Christmas. She had to postpone her trip until June.
Disappointment.
Then, a month ago, Vincent’s parents had to cancel their trip as well. His mother would need surgery, and the only possible date was December 20.
Disappointment.
Disappointment, disappointment, disappointment. We all felt it . . . especially my kids.
Looking for Joy
On the flip side of that situation, we could still find joy, if we looked hard enough.
We had all four of our boys home, and everyone was safe and healthy.
Even though we didn’t have Mémé, Pépé, and Nana with us to celebrate Christmas and Pierre’s birthday, we had friends from work and church who had become like family to us. We could celebrate with them.
There were other disappointments . . . and joys . . .
Vincent had a bad car accident a week before Christmas. Our van is now in the shop, and there’s no hope of getting a loaner from the insurance company (even though Vincent was not at fault).
But, we are thankful. Some friends loaned us their 7-seater while they are traveling. It’s too small for our very tall family, but we remain thankful and grateful.
Christmas Eve and Christmas day felt a bit lonely, as we watched our family on the other side of the ocean—through a telephone screen.
My sister held up the special Christmas gift she bought me—a traditional weaving loom from a Navajo woman in Mexico.
“I got you this awesome Christmas present, but I can’t give it to you. You are always on the other side of the ocean,” my sister said sadly through the telephone screen.
More disappointment and sadness.
“I cried every time I walked into a store,” my mom said. “I couldn’t buy any toys and presents for Pierre for his birthday or Christmas. It made me so sad. I sent him money, but it’s just not the same.”
Remaining Thankful
But, we remain thankful.
—We were blessed to spend the past two Christmases with my American family in the U.S. This year in Spain, we are enjoying spending the holidays together as a family of six—watching videos of our past Christmases, reminiscing, playing games, relaxing . . .
—We have no snow, no “White Christmas,” like we did last year in cold Pennsylvania. But, we have sunshine, mild weather, and we’re headed to the Mediterranean Sea on vacation in just a few days.
—We have no honey ham and no pumpkin pie. But, we found foie gras, smoked salmon, and other international favorites at the Spanish grocery store. I even found expensive cans of Dr. Pepper and A&W Root Beer—some of my favorite things— in a specialty store!
—There is no dollar store here for cheap stocking stuffers and gifts. But, there is a gigantic “Chinese store” down the street with all kinds of cheap trinkets—everything you could want and more!
—Our family’s special Christmas ornaments and stockings are still in our storage unit in France. But, some friends loaned us their artificial Christmas tree and decorations. We found cheap 1 euro stockings at the “Chinese store.”
—My Christmas cookie cutters are also in a box in my storage in France. But, I found some Cream of Tartar (hard to find here!) to make Snickerdoodles instead.
—We couldn’t watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “Frosty the Snowman” on Primetime American television. But, we managed to find and watch our favorite Christmas shows on Vimeo.
—We couldn’t go to see the incredible Christmas light display at the Kansas City Plaza and Crown Center. But, we could visit the traditional Spanish
—Our refugee and immigrant friends are lonely and separated from family. But, we enjoyed having some refugee friends in our home for Christmas dinner. After all, we are immigrants here in Spain too.
—We couldn’t go “home” for Christmas this year. But, we are in our new “home” in Spain—weaving cultures in a new way!
Yes, there are joys and disappointments during the holiday season. I’m choosing to focus on the joys!
—THE CULTURAL STORY-WEAVER
MY GIFT TO YOU—GET YOUR FREE EBOOK—“THE 5-DAY JOURNEY TO CULTURAL AWARENESS”!
LET’S WEAVE CULTURES!
What about you? What are your joys and disappointments this holiday season? How do you remain thankful and grateful—no matter where you are in the world, no matter what your circumstances are?
We invite you to tell us your own cultural stories and global adventures . . . as you engage with the world, breaking down barriers, building bridges, and “weaving cultures!” Write about them in the comment box below.
