The Bittersweet Flavor of the Holiday Season

Thanksgiving Eve. Growing up, this was one of my favorite times of the year. Holiday music (which I LOVE) is playing everywhere you go. Christmas Break was on the horizon (and so was my birthday!), and New York City during the holidays is always beautifully magical. And it all kicked off on Thanksgiving Eve. School was always easy--the last day before a four day weekend, plus the day before Thanksgiving means everyone was in a great mood. But, the best was coming home. Walking in the door, and seeing my grandmother in the kitchen, boiling potatoes, seasoning the turkey and the ham, preparing the mac and cheese and stuffing..it was heavenly. And, not just for the obviously gluttonous reason (I WAS the official taste tester, after all), but because I felt safe at home with my family. There was this warmth I felt from the security of being home Wednesday night with my immediate family all safe around me. Then, at age 14, we lost my grandfather right before the holidays that October. Looking back on it, the women in my life were so strong. As painful as it was to go on with the season that year, they never showed it. They stayed as put together as they could be for me and my brand new 6 month old baby cousin. It may not have been the best Holiday season, but I did feel warm and safe.

18 years later, and here I am now on another Thanksgiving Eve. In the past almost two decades, things have changed tremendously. I'm no longer on Granny's couch or at her kitchen table watching her prepare meals for Thursday's feast, I am now in my own apartment. Four years ago, I spent my very first holiday season without my mom, which has been the biggest impact on me by far. Most people reading this know me and about my struggles with my grief over the loss of my mom (for the uninformed, chronicled somewhat in this blog) and how I've been able to face this next phase of my life without my original BFF. Talking to some friends recently who have experienced a similar loss of a parent, as well as other timely movies and television shows brought up a swell of feelings for me this week. And it is this time of year that brings a bittersweet feeling that hangs over me the entire season.

Being a holiday season baby, this time of year has always been exciting. The countdown to Christmas has also paralleled the countdown to my birthday, and celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's with friends, family and food! But, in 2009, this time of year became to difficult to bear. That first year, I was so numb. I remember finding recipes for new foods to cook to keep my mind occupied and not focused on the big loss that weighed heavy on my heart. On one hand, it kept me busy, and I learned how to make some delicious new meals (and kept my ex very full), but on the other hand, when I wasn't cooking, the pain of my loss was debilitating. Sure, I spent Thanksgiving with the rest of my family, but that missing void in the room was painful, and I realized then that nothing could ever take that pain away. As time has gone by, I've begun to live in this current phase as best I can: by never forgetting or moving on, but carrying the pain with me as I find someway to continue on.

So on this Thanksgiving Eve, I take in both the good and the bad of the upcoming season: missing my mother tremendously, but being grateful for the 26 years that I did have her. Singing the cheesy happy birthday song to myself every year that she sang to me. Watching all those Christmas cartoons I used to watch with her and remembering how I laughed at her while she cried at them. Remembering all the years we spent putting up the tree in the living room and listening to her favorite CD, "Soul Christmas" while she danced around to the music. And reminiscing on all the good memories that I have. But I will also endure the harder moments, too. When I feel down about missing her, I will accept that and take it in. When the Christmas music and TV shows bring me to tears, I will embrace it. It is officially now all a part of my process, and things I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Because I have to be able to accept the Bittersweet Flavor of the Holiday Season.

December

It's been such a long time since I put any thoughts down on my blog! And, not for lack of thoughts, but more like lack of time. Trying to balance so many plates at one time usually means one or two fall by the waste side. I hate resolutions, but I....resolve to put more of my thoughts on this blog to share.

This post could be about a lot of things-a recap of my year, a hope for the promise of next year, a love letter/thank you note to all that matter to me, but honestly, I wanna write something to the month of December.

This is my favorite month of the year. And not just because it's my birthday month. Although it's cold out and there's usually snow in NYC, the month of December gives me a warm feeling like no other. December 1st has always felt like a New Awakening for me, and I always feel like a little piece of who I am is so different 31 days later when the month ends. If a month can move that much progress in me, surely you can understand why New Years resolutions and things seem to be too much, lol.

As a city girl, the whole place is buzzing with people and noise and holiday music and beautiful lights. There are new delicious holiday treats and drinks (don't judge me) designed to fill you up and warm your heart. People are preparing to spend time with the people they love the most in the world, and laughter is shared and new memories are made all month long.

The past few Decembers haven't been some of my all time best, but even when I was at my saddest point, I couldn't resist listening to a little Christmas music, stopping to see decorations in different areas of the city, and even watching children take pictures with Santa Claus. It all brings back memories of sweet days gone by. This year was the best out of the last 3 Decembers, and I think that signals a change in myself. Not for the better. Just for the manageable.

People always say the past year was like a roller coaster but for me, it really was! I felt like I was on Kingda Ka out here in '11--I was up, then stable, then down, the low, then LOWER, then stable, then low again, and finally stable till I reached a manageable high for me. It wasn't easy, but at least towards the end I was able to enjoy the ride.

So, on this last day of my favorite month of the year, I look back on some of the things that gave me the perspective I plan on taking forward for the next 11 months of my rebirth--the highs and lows of my job, my successes with my students, the bonds I have made and cultivated with good new friends and kept with great old friends, the growth and learning process I am on regarding my romantic relationships, the dedication and resolve I have shown stepping out of my comfort zone a little more, the work that I have put in to add fitness to my life more often, and the maturity I have acquired on my way to celebrating my 30th birthday last week. I may not have had everyone with me that I wanted, but I enjoyed my day immensely still. All of these things helped me prepare for another year of whatever may come-good, bad or indifferent.

So, December, I bid you farewell, and await my stories on growth and maturity in the months to come.

Happy New Year!!!