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@gertu13 more from that month

Christmas is here. These dates bring back memories, the times when my family was complete come to my mind but many things have changed in the family, in the country and everything is lived in a different way. It’s November, many years ago this date had an atmosphere of joy. The avenues were radiant at night, as much as in the daytime, the stores, malls, houses, buildings, even the trees did not fail to show their Christmas decorations, sparklers everywhere. I loved that about Christmas. The difference begins with the deaths in my family, over the years things become the same at home. Gone are the typical meals, the family gatherings.

Then both the family and the customs continue to die, the country becomes fragmented. There are changes in the way of thinking that take over the minds of the common citizen. Their needs are not met, it’s necessary to emigrate, family members leave, friends leave. Those of us who stay try to live the best we can. Those of us who have faith remain firm in our belief that at some point things will change to give a feeling of rebirth to all of us who remain. For one reason or another many people decide to stay and move on with their lives. Just as I have decided to, many have as well, we are giving our best to help a country move forward in such chaos. In my house I used to put up the Christmas tree with all the ornaments in updated motifs and colors for the moment. Together with my son we would get carried away by the Christmas mood and fill the house with Christmas decorations and motifs. Santas on sleighs, reindeer in frost, Christmas decorations for bathroom sets, kitchen sets, bedroom sets, appliance sets. Everything had to do with Christmas. I also learned from my mother how to make a nativity scene. We made a cave out of paper that we then painted. We placed corn plants that we previously sowed and germinated to serve as grass around the manger, we placed chestnuts and nuts throughout the cave, simulating stones and rocks from the road. The three kings were not missing either. They were placed a little far from the manger and then when the days approached when the kings would appear in the manger, we would raise the figures of the kings and bring them closer to the child.

I lost the habit. Both of the tree and the manger. Because we always traveled to the family in the country and there we stayed from December 22 to January 2. But that also changed. The pandemic, the isolation and the gasoline shortage arrived and in the end we could do nothing... we had to stay cooped up to this day. But we still have no tree, we have no manger, but my son and I continue together. With friends and family, we get together on the 24th and 31st in the evening for dinner. The best thing is to be together and hope that everything will change at some point for the good of all, in the meantime to enjoy life as best we can. Material things are not what bring happiness, memories bring us the longing for times past. But as long as we can be reunited with our loved ones the Christmas season will always be special. I like the Christmas customs in relation to meals, preparing *hallacas*, a typical food made with corn flour dough, it’s made like a kind of baseball ball and then flattened, and in its interior a minced meat is placed, previously seasoned and cooked to the chef’s liking. Then olives, capers, pickles, potatoes and sliced eggs are added and it is closed, wrapped in a banana leaf that gives it the final flavor.

We also have the traditional ham bread, chicken salad, baked pork or pork leg, green papaya candy and the tasty black cake. In some places the *paneton* is eaten and the usual drink is the delicious cream punch and champagne wine. No matter where we are, there will always be someone somewhere who offers a piece of their *hallaca* with a little bit of their favorite accompaniment. And how are your Christmas celebrations? Thanks to my readers and sponsors for their constant support, I love you all.Thanks to my readers and sponsors for their constant support, I love you all.

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