Hugs and kisses.

These are days of family, friends, parties, togetherness and a lot of joy. But unfortunately an unexpected enemy arrived who separated all these words and the action they express.

Families are separated, most of their members left this country to seek a better quality of life in other countries. Some few are well, many others found death on the way or arriving at their destination or already being in other places temporarily resided.

The friends had to disperse, some decide to go together but then they must separate to be able to support themselves and then be able to help their families, which they left behind in the hope of being able to help them.

I still hear the festivities, especially yesterday that was the commemoration of the birth of baby Jesus. I could hear how the music of some neighboring houses came to me, the salsa rhythm music especially, but parties as such? No such thing, just music and a few people talking trivia to pass the time while baby Jesus arrives.

Family junction? Few people remain in families. If they didn't go to other countries, they already went to eternal life. The 2020 disease wiped out many family groups and those who remain united mourn their own. They don’t celebrate life because they prefer to mourn the dead.

We were a very happy country. A lot of money was spent in each family on fireworks, they were lighted at night. The deafening noises could be heard for many hours, I saw dogs tremble, howl and run for cover. Cats huddled because of the noise they heard. I don't like thunderous fireworks myself.

Families moved from one place to another to go to visit their loved ones.

But today I see that a sad country with very sad people. Illness, death, physical separation from their family and friends left them a feeling of loneliness that does not allow them to regain their joy. It disturbs my mind at times, for them, out of respect for their feelings, for what they believe.

But my reality is different; my family is distributed all over the world, many left and many have already died. My parents died of old age. Two of my brothers died from their bad inheritances with heart problems. Two of my sisters left the country with their children, my younger brother lived relatively close to me, but he doesn't have gas in his car to get around, but we called each other to wish each other a better Christmas.

I spent it with my son. I prepared a different dinner, sweet with papaya, hot chocolate and with many movies on TV. I thank my God that I’m alive after going through so many difficulties throughout the year. I gave my son lots of hugs and kisses. We thanked each other for being together with each other this Christmas too, with our pets and calm at home. We celebrate life! We are not immortal. We don’t know how long we’ll be alive and for the moment we are together and happy for being together. We don’t know what tomorrow brings, but we’re happy right now.

That is why I wish you all many kisses and many hugs with your loved ones next to you. The people God ordained to be by his side today. Let's celebrate life! We don't know how long we have left to live, we don't know how long we have until we die.

I wish you many hugs and many kisses while we are together in this time of God.