I was raised in a small family with a deep spiritual curiosity.
I remember as a child my father took us on a pilgrimage through different religions, which led to a religion in which Christmas is not celebrated.
This changed the dynamics of this time of the year. I was probably six or seven years old. I never believed in Santa, I didn´t have an egg hunt for easter as this was not part of the imposed family religion.
It wasn´t until a few years back, when we moved closer to my husband´s parents that I slowly started to warm up to the holiday spirit of sharing and spending time together, regardless of what is true or not in historical or religious terms.
This year is the first time I face the holidays with a feeling of melancholia for all the other years lost with the lack of closeness to loved ones because of a belief that probably fed the ego of some family members leading them to feel they hold truth over the rest of the mortals, including people that are meaningful and important in our lives.
Today I feel grateful. My piece of wisdom this Christmas is that regardless of the name of the holiday we shouldn´t miss the opportunity to share with loved ones, and I also came to confirm that family is chosen, even the blood-related one.
For my own mental health, I choose to distance myself from some family members, keeping the sharing in a measure that is fitting for me. Never feel bad or allow others to make you feel bad for not having a conventional relationship with blood-related family members. Your experience is unique, and someday healing will come and will allow you to share more, or not at all.
I thank all the people that follow me, read my posts, like and save the posts, or simply react to a story. This is my little outlet to share wisdom, humor, and vulnerability for all to (hopefully) become more human, be more kind.
I promise to myself I will dive and swim in the holiday’s energy with love and detachment every time I get the chance. I owe it to my inner child, to create magic in the outside as much as it exists on my inside.
Thank you, Andrea
A heartfelt holiday reflection
