~ It is true that the holiday season brings with it a feeling of nostalgia, sentimentality, and that timeless emotion of wanting to be with your family. The holiday season started with Halloween, believe it or not, for the people of Puerto Rico. And boy, do they go all out! True of the Latin cultures, they love a festival, or any reason to celebrate. As soon as Halloween was over, Christmas began popping up all around us. I guess the unfortunate wave of forgetting about Thanksgiving is sweeping the world. For me, Thanksgiving is what ushers in that wonderful feeling of nostalgia. It's when Fall is in the air, and all the material things and cares of this world, that seem to drive our lives for the better part of the year, are forgotten. Family is what matters. Being outdoors and slowing down to really think about all that is ours is what November is all about for me. I sent my daughter Skylar a text recently that said, "Being with family trumps being on a tropical island any day!" Some of you may just wonder about that, right:) I know, because I may have thought the same before being so far away from the other half of my loved ones. Experience has a way of teaching us lessons, and the kids and I are certainly gaining a new perspective on the ones we love and miss.
~While it's not in full swing just yet, they have told us that Christmas is something to behold here on the island. Old San Juan becomes a wonderland of lights and festivities from December to January. We will take many pictures and send your way. The rest of the family will be coming for Christmas, at different times. This will make for a long time of celebration for us as we entertain them all separately. Until then, we are doing our best to be THANKFUL for where we are and what we have in the midst of being so lonesome for home, husband, and my other two children. The van I bought, while it looks nice on the outside, turned out to be a real lemon and I am taking it to the shop weekly since I bought it.
~Please keep my mother in your prayers. She returned home to Houston this past week after getting the news that one of her closest friends passed away suddenly and unexpectedly during the night. The news of her dear friends passing holds many emotions at her age that go far beyond the initial grief. What was suppose to be an adventure, even for my mother at 72, has been a very trying transition into a new culture. She has been terrific, and I certainly do have a new found appreciation for all she has done for making the transition a little easier to bear for me and the kids. When I say we are all learing new things about each other and about life, that we never dreamed of, I am speaking from the heart. Her friends passing was just one more very large reminder that we are to be so very thankful for what is ours today, no matter where we are or what difficulties surround us. Mom plans to return to PR in a few weeks. She's a trooper and says she feels this is where she is suppose to be, helping her daughter. I am grateful for that.
~I am leaving you with a few random photos. Things I am thankful to have seen, or that we are thankful to be a part of. Love to all, j.
No comments:
Post a Comment