What is Christmas?

Time really flies… 2006 is ending soon and tomorrow is Christmas Day. What would I be doing? For some, Christmas is partying the night through… for others, it is a time to get together with family or old friends. And for the religious ones, it’s a time of giving and sharing.

What’s it to me? Many years ago, it was a time of giving and sharing, going to church to confess for all the sins that I’ve made during the year. Now, it is just another normal routine ‘weekend’ day. Frankly, I think Christmas has become quite meaningless in our society. Many offices have little celebrations, gift exchange, feasting etc. Many end up with gifts which they have no use for… some probably recycle them. Then there’s the endless feasting, of which, people (like me) will be quite stressed over losing all the excess calories taken.

And it’s sad that people are only thankful at this time… Seize the Day is what I believe in. Let me share two stories:

A girl gone mad
There is a girl who lives in her own world of grandeur. Let’s call her Jenny. She’s very clever and has many friends. But she has a bad habit – gambling. No one knew when it started. When the problem became known, Jenny had become a compulsive liar and gambler. After dropping out of varsity, she borrowed money from friends, family and associates. She bought expensive gifts and luxury items she didn’t need. When no one lent her money, she started stealing from her own family. No one believed what she said anymore. Those close to Jenny were angry at how she had changed. Sadly, soon she became deranged and finally ended her own life at a very young age of 25. I was there after it happened. I can still remember the cries and how everyone blamed themselves. I wondered if this tragedy could have been prevented… guess it’s something that I’ll never know.

An unfilial son turned good
The second story revolves around a son who somehow didn’t like his father. Let’s call him Ben. Ben is married with 3 kids and lives with his nucleus family. The father loves him very much and would call him regularly to keep in touch and check if the kids are alright. For no good reason, Ben rarely wants to talk to the father. One day, the father was sick – not very seriously but Ben’s brother sent him to the hospital as the clinics were closed. Ben was told in the morning but didn’t go down. In the late afternoon, the father, while waiting for the doctor, fell off the wheelchair and what was a simple fever, became fatal. While in the emergency unit, the brother called Ben. But again, Ben didn’t go down. When he arrived, the father had already passed on. Ben was really sad. But it was too late. Nonetheless, I think Ben learnt his lesson. Now, he visits his mom regularly and helps out at her hawker stall. So, all’s not lost.

These two incidents taught me two things :

1. Life is very fragile. Whether it is mine or those around me… you’ll never know when you’ll be asked to hand in your identity card. So, don’t wait till it’s too late to tell someone you love ‘I love you’. Or say ‘Sorry’ when you should. Don’t cry and think about doing this and that with the person when he or she is gone. ‘Cos it’s too late.

2. Seize the Day. Since the life we have is given to us and not ours to keep as we wish, do what you want to do NOW… seize the day. I’m thankful for each day that I wake up in good health, able to breathe in the fresh air and feel the warmth of sun or the light breeze on my face. Guess age does these things to you… Now, I appreciate the simple things in life more and I’m thankful for each day that I have.

Merry Christmas to everyone and may all your wishes come true.