Homesick for Christmas

Every few months or so something comes up. A holiday, birthday or some special event, and it causes a twinge. It’s a small pain, nothing major, but I feel it nonetheless. Homesickness.

I remember when I first moved to Oregon from my life in California. I left the state to study at a tiny Christian college and with the intent of finding both God and myself. However, after the first few weeks, I was ready to pack up and return to California. My mama helped me press through, of course, and I ended up staying for four years, returning to California only three times throughout.

I went straight from Oregon to Australia, I haven’t seen California in about two years. It was Christmastime. My sister was congested with her annual head-cold. Mom had laced sparkly garland through the bars of the stair banisters. My hair was cut short, the shortest I’ve ever had it. It took a lot of getting used to. Dad made a cameo appearance. It was a good Christmas.

Last Christmas I spent on the coast of the Indian ocean. It must have been in the nineties, we stayed in the water till midnight and were sweating even still. Everyone I spent that holiday with was a temporary friend, a surface acquaintance. Now, a year later, I don’t see any of those people, I can’t even remember most of their names. After spending one of the most meaningful of holidays together, my life goes on unaffected by their company.

This year, I’m in a similar boat. Still in Australia, oceans away from loved ones. Still having a summertime Christmas and still missing my family and our intimate Christmases terribly. This year, however, I have a wonderful relationship and a beautiful apartment to be thankful for. I’ve decided to dig into my Creole roots and wake up early to make gumbo for dinner (fingers crossed the roux will come out the right colour). My sister is making the same thing, and although my celebration will occur 15 hours before hers, it will be nice to know we’re having the same Christmas dinner.

Presents are being sent via Internet and UPS (two more things to be mighty thankful for) and will be arriving late as usual. Oh well, it is what it is. Perhaps next Christmas I’ll be able to hand-deliver them myself. That is if my plans to travel to Singapore fall through.

Love Always and Merry Christmas.