Evening Stroll on December 25th

For sure everyone or at least most had a great day on Christmas day, isn't it? When it was a tradition to celebrate Christmas in some countries including the Philippines, some also don't.

Families get together whether near or far. It's a holiday after all. Some take it as an opportunity to make amends with the other whom they have some misunderstanding, argument or anything that wrecks a good relationship. The laughter and joy you see in everyone's eyes is very much contagious it resonates.

And as usual, I packed up our bags when my dad said he is coming to pick us up on 23rd. Prior to that, during typhoon Odette my kids kept bugging me to go at their grandparents whom they call Lolodad or dad for short to their granddad and Mamay also to their grand mom. They heard about the Christmas lights and Santa,( life-size Santa at the Municipal Capitol) and they can't wait to see it. You can't see anything as huge in our village that's why they really love to see it. Most especially my thirdy, Graeden who missed their grandparents that he kept telling me multiple times a day to go visit them.

We didn't have a have much for Christmas, though. What my two younger brothers brought home is only what we have in the table. My other younger brother who is good in cooking is in charge of the kitchen while my niece lends him a hand.

Everything is prepared before midnight but me and the kids slept and so does my parents. Eventually, ended up asleep until the morrow.

My sister brought over beef and pork leftovers from a blowout party the day before which I have heated after it was taken out of the freezer. Some fish were grilled then we have our brunch with spaghetti and macaroni salad aside from the main dish of rice with the grilled fish, beef soup bones and pork adobo...

It was just like any ordinary day because we aren't complete. My sister celebrated with her family but her eldest daughter is with us, and so does my brother at his wife's place. We haven't gone to our relatives also.

I decided to bring the kids here at our parents place due to the reason I have stated on my previous article. And since it's the yuletide season, for sure everyone available came home. Kids couldn't be stopped from playing around and I am afraid that they might catch cough and colds because it is unavoidable for them to get in crowds. And we all know that catching colds during this time and most especially this time of the year is inevitable. And that is most likely will lead to what we have been afraid of during the whole two years.

After a sumptuous snack late afternoon of Christmas day, the kids have been watching for any sign of bad weather. They really badly wanted to see those lights in town. Good thing it didn't drizzle this time. From my parents house, we have to walk a good 10 minutes to the the parking area where my dad's car is. Then a couple of minutes driving when we arrived at the Municipal Capitol. Unfortunately, a shower of rain begun to fall. Then, the shower became heavier that we weren't able to have a good shot of the area. The kids just feasted on holding Santa and their eyes on the Christmas tree. Too bad the lights of the tree were plugged out. But the others on the second and the succeeding floors were still lit.

I was carrying the baby while taking pictures of the other kids and it begun to pour that's why I wasn't able to have a good shot of the whole building. The kids were too excited and shouting with glee from seeing the lights. They haven't enjoyed much due to the rain.

We proceeded to the plaza but we were disappointed that the lights were also plugged out. We waited for the rain to stop inside the car. Thankfully, it stopped but was still drizzling a little. So my father drove to what we call "the Circle". It was an an acacia tree in the heart of the town. It was so huge and tall and under it was supported with concrete designed as circle as a sitting area. It was where older men mostly come to greet and meet their old or new friends.

The children took their time to watch while I also take them photos.

When we passed by the Circle to the Municipio, there were still men sitting under the acacia tree. This time, they're not there anymore perhaps it's already dark. Thus, the kids enjoyed watching the lights and have fun.

The kids haven't enjoyed much. Their grandad told them we will again go some other time.

While I was typing this, our youngest sibling, second year college student noticed that I have a new cellphone. He asked me what is its RAM. And when I told him he asked to check it out so I handed it to him. He jokingly asked me to swap his which I also jokingly answered no way. But then I asked him why.

This brother of ours is not fond of asking things especially when he can afford it. Honestly, he works hard for it. And as for his Realme 6i phone, he saved for it and didn't asked our parents to buy it for him. Though my parents has lots of ordered furnitures at times but he never asked anything but for his expenses in school.

So when he asked mine which has a RAM of 6Gb and 128gb ROM I didn't hesitate to give it to him. I know he has no money for a more upgraded one. And he said, he needed a higher RAM for his studies. He has hard drives anyway.

In return he also gave me his keyboard for android because he said it is more convenient to use in typing my articles than holding my cellphone all the time to write.

Whether he asked it on Christmas day or any day of the year I surely would give him.

Christmas should not be spent grandeusly and not something to look forward for anyone to give us gifts but, a time to give thanks for all the blessings and rejoice for surviving a year full of uncertainties and having a good family to back us up in good and the worst of our days.

12-27-21

Z_Graeden