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Friday, December 23, 2005
Rain always has this dangerous potential of dampening the human spirit. I was scurrying in the slight drizzle to seek the odd comfort of the empty, souless void deck. The cold moisture seemed to seep into the depths under my skin and nearly extinguished all happy thoughts in me. Nearly. It always rain every Christmas season here. Just like how it always snows every Christmas season in other countries. Rain breeds the diseases of loneliness and gloom. One must wonder how the spirit of festive celebration remains undamaged by such oppressive weather. I certainly did. And I realised how tenacious the human determination to celebrate Christmas is. No one should feel lonely or gloomy. Christmas is a reminder that we are not alone. Growing up, the draw of Christmas was the dazzling array of presents family and friends gave me. Now, somewhat nearing the end of my teens, maturity has added a touch of sentiment to the simple act of giving and taking. Affirmation of friendship through words thoughtfully penned on greeting cards is what never fails to warm my heart. And as all family practices to celebrate Christmas gradually cease to be one simple gathering of all uncles, aunts and cousins, I grow to appreciate the quiet strength of familial bonds. An exchange of a brief smile with a stranger takes on a new meaning too. Really, Christmas is a celebration of human connectedness. And also a time to express our gratitude for it. No matter how hard we try to be independent, we will never be. For even one simple bowl of rice, if you imagine how the farmer harvests the grains, how the factory worker packs the grains, how the driver transports the rice package to the exporting factory, how the supermarket man heaves the rice onto his shoulders and places it on the display shelf, you would be amazed at the extent of our reliance on strangers we don't even know. Such is the beauty of human connection. I can never stop being amazed by it. Ah, for all these ramblings, what I really want to say after all is a huge sincere 'thank-you' to everyone, my best friends, my friends, my family for all the love and concern and - yeah, strangers too. For in some ways, have helped to make my steaming bowl of rice. Posted by |z|r| at |
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