THE 2019 CHRISTMAS OF QUEEN VICTORIA

by: MisS VictoriA DaviD 

When you have been used to celebrating Christmas in brighter and more colourful ways, you will felicitously look forward to be awed by stimulating ornaments hoisted in each corner that you will pass by and through. Who would not be, especially when most streets will be enlivened and full of impressive illuminations. That is why, we promised ourselves that we would spend the spectacular winter holiday this year here in London. Its because, the fascinating spirit of Christmas was part of my childhood and not to have appreciated the christmassy ambience last year gave me the feeling of bleakness. 

I'm already at the age where I don’t anticipate having wrapped gifts to unravel or to receive an envelope stuffed with cash. Nonetheless, I always cherish and love receiving red letter cards either as a personalised piece or those with a customary gesture. Someone's intention whose heart is in the right place feels deeper and is more precious to me nowadays.

For the past years, I have been more grateful for living a meaningful and healthy life. A life full of love that has bolstered me for succeeding in bringing many of my dreams into a reality. However, when I think of my childhood memories- which always draw me into the spectra of fantasy- it always separates me from the beauty of my life in the now. It's the longingness resides in my heart. Needless to say, there is nothing wrong in musing over the past for as long as you know how to resurge on to the solid ground of reality! 

The "shape" of the earth isn't created to perfection and neither are our lives. No one has achieved an impeccable life without experiencing battles and challenges before they become triumphant. Bear in mind that we have our own resilient rowing boat to manoeuvre but it is only up to us how we will deploy it and steer towards our predilection. If you think your year 2019 hasn't been a proactive and strong chapter, you are certainly not alone! 

Let us all embrace another year of being alive and may we try not to disregard (regret) the significance of old chapters (if you can?). Personally speaking, we are moving ahead and are not permanently shutting down the colourful preexistent years of our lives.

THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF CHRISTMAS CARDS

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

 

When I was growing-up in my beloved home town and the month of Christmas was starting to draw closer, the thought of unwrapping gifts was imminent. I would even dream of receiving envelopes from my godparents containing new bills with a crepitating sound. If ever you would receive an envelope with 500 or 1000 Philippine Peso, a glow of rapture in your face would be seen by the rest of the kids. That is why, my childhood friends and I were always looking forward to the Christmas Eve and the Christmas Day. 

In the past, a week before the 25th of December most children in my neighbourhood would either have bought a new set of clothes with a pair of shoes or would be still searching for the quirkier illuminating attire with animation. Then, by the evening before Christmas Day our loving parents would wake us up to witness the colourful fireworks up in the sky before handing over the most anticipated wrapped gifts. On Christmas Day, we couldn't wait to garb ourselves in our new clothes/shoes and also exultantly looking forward to see each other's appearance. We would then walk as a group with a particular intention of visiting our godparents. They would welcome us into their homes and offer something to eat before handing over either an envelope filled with wads of cash or under the tree present comprised of our dream toys/brand-new clothes. 

My childhood years were filled with meaningful and out-of-bounds memories; which I will treasure until my last breathe on Earth. More importantly, I am very thankful to have been surrounded by cheerful childhood friends when I was growing-up and was generously taken cared of by my parents, until I decided to leave the comfortable nest. 

The children in my home town have all grown-up now and a few have fearlessly spread-out their wings in foreign countries. I am one of the few who has been living thousand miles away from my beloved country. In the years of living in London, United Kingdom I have learnt that there is more to just receiving a well-wrapped presents or a sealed envelope in life. In particular, I have been appreciating more the significance of Christmas cards when the warmth spirit of Yuletide is just around the corner.

The simple thought of sending a card with no manners of pretentiousness has been appreciated more by myself. In connection to this, the gravitational impact of the words written, it may be a long paragraph or just a simple phrase, will always hold dear in my heart. Genuinely, either a simple or extravagant card always brings a warm smile to my face. Its because, people reveal their true sincerity about their view of you in their inscribed words. Shall I say, shielding our selves with gripping and embracing words are the priceless gem of affection and weigh higher than conspicuous tangible things.

Christmas Day has passed and soon, we will welcome another brand-new year. Let us all be reminded that GREETING CARDS are not just customary and biodegradable papers. Veritably, they are worth their weight in gold as the tradition of sending our love and care to another person. Thus, they are not comparable even to high-priced handbags or any luxury items, if you regard less the so-called conspicuous consumption. I doubt it? 

To those who have been appreciating my kindness like our neighbours, THANK YOU! To those who have been valuing the genuine nature of my friendship, THANK YOU MORE! To those who have been treating me as a family member, THANK YOU SO MUCH!

By and large, inscribed words from unexpected senders whether good or bad is an even-steven reflection of who we truly are as a mortal human being in this world!