December 23, 2008

Thank you, Mr. Capra

Ordinarily, today Id be at the matadero - the slaughter house - early in the morning picking out and bringing home a nice lechon for our Noche Buena feast tomorrow. Id have spent countless hours getting our home ready - cleaning, organizing, decorating, setting up tables and chairs, putting up Christmas lights and getting the old Caja China ready for pork cooking action. Id be busy the rest of today preparing the lechon - making the mojo, marinating the pig, adobando. Id also be doing my best not to inject myself with pig/mojo like I did back in 2006.

Alas, such is not the case as we will not be hosting our usual Noche Buena shindig at our home this year.

Ruth wrote something some days back that's been resonant with me, personally, and with a few members of my family and friends: we just dont feel all that festive this year. I dont feel all glittery and blinking light-ish.

It's been a rough year for us, 2008. Both the Mrs and I have had our parents in hospital a couple times, my brother-in-law diagnosed with cancer and undergoing chemo, car accidents, health issues and other setbacks. Of course, the economy being in shambles aint helping either as we, like everyone else, are feeling the pinch this Christmas. So, yes, we are somewhat Scroogey this year: no blinking lights on our eaves and trees around the yard, no gift laden tree with lights and ornaments in the house, no 100 lb lechon marinating in mojo for Noche Buena, no tables set for that dinner, no tent, no lights, no stereo and speakers set up for the big party, no shopping malls and gift wrapping and fancy ribbons and bows, heck, we havent even watched It's a Wonderful Life this year.

But here's the thing, folks. Amid all the troubles and money woes, amid all the exigent circumstances and adversity we've realized one thing: it truly is a wonderful life. Both the Mrs and I still have both our parents here with us, we have aunts and uncles and cousins and brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews along for this wonderful ride as well. And God has blessed us not only with great friends, but with this Babalu family that visits with us every single day and shares the good and the bad.

So, yeah, maybe our own little Bedford Falls isnt all decorated with full holiday regalia this year, but, like Ruth sated in her post linked above, we carry Christmas in our hearts. Everything else is just window dressing.

We'll have a small, intimate Noche Buena celebration at my parent's house tomorrow and celebrate the birth of Christ without all the window dressing. Love will, after all, always light the way.

Posted by Val Prieto at December 23, 2008 09:00 AM

Comments

Small Christmases are some of the best. We have four in our family. So, enjoy Christmas and have a wonderful new year!

Posted by: Lazaro [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 23, 2008 09:54 AM

Merry Christmas from Mr. Potter.

Posted by: Universal Spectator [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 23, 2008 10:05 AM

I managed to put up my nativity scene but otherwise I'm downplaying the festive side this year in favor of the contemplative.

Posted by: jsb [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 23, 2008 11:02 AM

I must say I feel relieved to know I'm not the only person feeling this way. I'm going to have immediate family this year, and gifts will be VERY limited. We have a tradition in Guatemala where "ponche" is made. It's "punch", but with "canela" and various fruits in it served hot. Fortunately, we will have that this year, so it'll feel like Christmas. I hope everyone else out there enjoys this Christmas despite the hard times.

Posted by: j2tharome [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 23, 2008 12:16 PM

I'd appreciate a trip to the matadero post à la Marta.

Posted by: TomSawyer [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 23, 2008 12:58 PM

A very very Merry Christmas to you, Val. As Tiny Tim said: "Tiptoe through the tulips wi-", er, "God bless us one and all" I mean.

Posted by: Mr. Bingley [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 23, 2008 01:48 PM

Best Christmas wishes to you and yours, Val.

Posted by: Jonathan [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 24, 2008 01:20 AM

Feliz Noche Buena and Merry Christmas folks.

Posted by: Eddy [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 24, 2008 09:23 AM

Wish we were having the feast this year, but sometimes life throws you a curve ball, and you just have to duck.

At least the pig is happy. I wonder if his name is Barabbas.

Merry Christmas!

Posted by: Steve H. Graham [TypeKey Profile Page] at December 24, 2008 09:42 AM


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