Christmas - what does it mean?

Its Christmas time!

What does it mean?

Shopping for Christmas gifts?

Receiving Christmas gifts?

Year end wrap up of projects, events, work?

Mega gatherings to catch up with those that were too busy during the actual year?

This year its alot less festive for me. Perhaps its because I've done most of the Christmas shopping way early in the year. So no need to cheong for last min presents or force to buy something for the sake of buying.

And perhaps also because there were some pretty notty boys in my life this year, making me not feeling so loving towards them. Yah, lots of emotional baggage you can say.

Perhaps also because we attended 3 funerals in just 2 months. One grandaunt who survived the boat journey from China just to be with her husband. Raised 4 kids with very limited resources, lived to see her own grandchild get married before she left the mortal world. There were more amazing stories about her which were shared during the course of her wake. Makes you feel so blessed to be born in today's modern world. With all our modern luxuries.

Ad's godpa also left us, but not for good. As we celebrate his departure from this mortal earth, we know that he's up in heaven with Jesus. Nonetheless, the sense of loss is felt, when we learn so much more about him in his youthful days, the things that he did. Just makes you wish you've heard it from him personally. Or had that chance to give him just one more hug. He's got such lovable personality. You wish that you can clone that and inject it into every unpleasant elderly you meet. hee....

Then came the departure of a dear friend's mother. A 80+ elderly who has combat cancer for the past few years, never with a word of complaint nor grumble. She just bore the pain, the discomforts, the frustrations. We were glad we made it to see her one last time the day before she left. Though she was frail and weak, she was definitely without pain. On the day of her funeral, my heart went out to her DIL, who cried so bitterly about her loss, that my tears flowed in synchrony as well. She had the most beautiful funeral mass I've ever attended. The music which made up a large part of the mass was soft, light and comforting. Memories of all those who have departed came flowing back. We pray for all our departed brothers and sisters to be safe in Jesus's side up in heaven.

Some lessons that I've learnt this year:

Your earthly family may not = your spiritual family. So feel blessed anyway.

Forgive every wrong that comes your way, even if that person never apologize, or will never come to know what damage he's done towards you. Because you need healing from the event. He can go settle his behavior with God in due time.

We should envelope ourselves with positive, like-minded people. Never mind even if that is your childhood friend, if he/she is influencing you in a negative way, its time to stay away. Just pray for that person to turn around, but you dun have to join him/her at it.

There are those who love you no matter what you do. Treasure them, for they may not stay around the next time you commit the same error.

Some actions, no matter what good intentions you have. If taken the wrong way, it is still not achieved its desired effects. So take some actions with cautions and consider the consequences carefully.

Sometimes when a person is angry with you or something you did, it may not necessarily mean that you've done something wrong. It could mean that this person has anger, and you happened to be there. So dun let that get you down.

Hugs are great wondrous actions! Give more hugs!

Have crystal clear goals in your mind. Dun allow yourself to be distracted .... (note to self in bold)

Celebrate every success that you have. Send joy to every cell in your body! You deserve it!