An Atypically Typical Christmas

 Now that Christmas is done, I wanted to take a quick moment to reflect on it. For the previous two years, I would get together with a friend everyday of Christmas and hang out, and then I would post a picture and a little summary. This year, I still got together with a person most days online, but I didn't post about it because I figured a bunch of screen shots and a summary everyday saying "I had a video chat" would not be satisfying.

However, I did feel like I grew and came to a couple of realizations because of the experience. I didn't get together with as many people, one because I personally find a lot of phone calls and video chats to be a bit of a drag. I'd rather be with the person. But I also realized how much I haven't had a conversation with a lot of folks and it helped me feel better and less disconnected. I think I'm going to continue to actively reach out to people and have more of these kind of calls throughout the rest of the pandemic.

The other thing that was interesting to me this particular year (and I said it in every one of my phone calls) is that while most people were saying how this year's Christmas was strange and how for me it was one of the most "normal" Christmas' I've ever had. Some people were relieved to not have to be so busy while others were heart-broken that their tradition was broken or disappointed that it felt like any other day. Suddenly a lot of people I knew had a Christmas that I typically have.

My roommate, our downstairs neighbours, and I all got together for a Christmas supper together in our apartment. I made mashed potatoes and gravy, sat at my own table, and was at a table of equals. Everyone of us were on the same footing because it not typical for any of us. And that's where I had the feeling that this was as close I've had in a long time to the typical Christmas experience. Over the years, on Christmas, I have been invited to many homes by very gracious people. They want to make it hospitable to those who would be otherwise be alone on Christmas. And that's great. That should continue and I know many people appreciate that hospitality. As someone who is typically one of the outsiders coming to another's home, it typically feels like I get to observe someone else's Christmas and family and good life. Of course, observing other people's Christmases has become my typical Christmas and I've found things I appreciate about it. Such as getting a chance to see how different families interact and I've many things that I want to keep in mind if a family is in my future. This Christmas, I didn't get to observe another's Christmas, I was fully a participant and it was honestly very nice. I hope to have more in the future without a pandemic being the cause for it. "Here we are as in olden days

Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more

Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now"