I'm Spending the Holidays With The Ones I Love

Muchos gracias Corona...

Out of all the times to be socially distanced...the holidays! I hear heavenly hosts singing right now. I never imagined that I would enjoy the idea of actually avoiding those awkward family gatherings. This year has put life into perspective.

I will choose whom I want to share the Christmas chicken (parce que Africa) with, and how I enter 2021. Lawd! The heavenly hosts sing again.

If you are like me, one of the things you want to avoid is the 'You are still single' conversation, often accompanied by criticism. It doesn't help that your sister's engaged, your other cousin is preparing for her second quarantine baby, or your brother threw the wedding of the season (even with 50 guests). Yep, that I am happy to sit out extend family festivities.

Ideally, I would have loved to be on holiday considering that I have 20 days off work. But these and other small blessings, I'm grateful that I have a job that still pays. Actually, add the side hustles that pay too. I am finally moving onto the 'next level'. This is the theme I ran by the entire year, yet it didn't come to fruition. Ironically, my life has been moving its own pieces and steering me in the direction that I should go.

My daughter is going to high school - a rather frightening yet relieving stage. She's all grown up. I mean she's an entire human being with opinions, taste in clothes, music, and the in-betweens. And thankfully, this holiday I get to spend it with her. For the past two, three years, I haven't been with my daughter during the holidays. This year, we get to be festive even on a budget.

I will also get to spend time with my grandmother - yes, the sassy, Madea-type. Time isn't promised to us and I want to capture every second with my gogo. While her smart mouth will probably cuss me out for something (like not being married), she will remind me I'm loved. I'm one of her favourites and she always says that I remind her of my mother. I love how fondly she speaks of my mother.

And of course, I will drop by and fist pump my favourite men in the world - my uncles, and my brothers. Of course, we will wash our hands, sanitize, and as always mask up!

Being miserable this season is a choice. And as the year has shown us, your space is the portal to your mental health. You can avoid toxic beings, unfruitful conversations, and keep your peace this season. And if you are lonely, reach out to those whom you know, value, and acknowledge the life in you. Just getting up to December is within itself a blessing.

We don't know what's next, but in the here and now, be with those who make your world brighter, lighter, and even richer!

Here's to peace of mind over the holidays!

P.S.: Always write your own love story!

Ciao!

Lady E

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