That magic time of the year is almost here, again, can you even believe it? Even though we feel that Christmas was just yesterday, yes well, it is almost back. There's been a lot written year after year, and said also about the Holidays. Everyone has an opinion when it comes to badmouth the Holidays. How they have metamorphosed from being the celebration of strictly religious and/or historic events many centuries ago, to a brutal, sometimes even sad consumerism nowdays, missing completely the point of the celebration. There's also those who just don't care about them, not even a little, not interested in celebrating, and the ones who see just business around this time. Not to mention those who just get together with family members to start the traditional fight of the year or the ones who think there's so much pressure around them. Truth is, no matter if you are or not a religious person it should be a good opportunity to stop and think about kindness, love, compassion, forgiveness, helping others, and all those things that we repeat year after year but unfortunately forget easily. It should be a good time to ponder the year that is getting to an end and the new year that is coming. Don't you think? Why not? But this post is about my Holidays, the ones I used to have and the ones I dream of every year. The ones that keep inspiring me the same way they used to when I was a kid. And I'm one of those who don't badmouth Christmas but for the contrary love it deeply. The Holidays to me really are that amazing time of the year where my whole existence revolves around memories, very sweet memories. I have to admit that growing up I used to have the best Holidays, packed with good Italian food, lots of presents and lots of family members and traditions as well. Can a child ask for more? I was born and raised in Venezuela but both my parents are Italians, as my grandparents, great grandparents, etc. and as much as I want to go back in history and trace my genealogical tree they still are Italians. So my Christmases were a combination of Venezuelan traditions and Italian traditions, all combined, very beautiful and flavorful. Not to forget the big American influence we had those days down there. I was told that presents were brought by baby Jesus, Santa Claus and La Befana, this last one, an ugly old lady who for some reason (I never asked why) used to bring presents to children, according to Italians. There was a beautiful Christmas tree in my house every single year and a beautiful Nativity scene as well and the whole month of December was very busy and full of preparations, at least that's how I remember those days. Thinking about the Holidays these days I've got to the conclusion that it is really about creating good, strong, sweet memories for the kids, because in the future that's what they will remember, those sweet memories stay for the rest of their lives with them. I think my mom and my dad -without even trying it- did a good job, because still, as an adult I get a burst of happiness and a big good smile on my face when I think about those past days. I hope we can do a good job too with little Diego in creating everlasting memories for him about this special time of the year. I hope we can blend all the traditions that are also part of his life, now that it seems history repeats itself for him, being American with a Venezuelan father and a Venezuelan-Italian mother. I hope we can do a good job. And about Thanksgiving, well that's another post coming soon, I didn't grow up celebrating Turkey Day, I'm from somewhere else, but that post is -coming soon-, coming.
And for all of you, who took the time to read this
some inspiring pics here
