Christmas Then and Christmas Now.

(A picture of me on a Christmas day)

When I look back at my childhood and compare it with my life now as an adult, one thing is very clear to me, maturity has truly taken place in my life. Christmas then and Christmas now are not the same for me. The things that once gave me so much joy during Christmas no longer excite me the same way. Not because Christmas is no longer special, but because I have grown, and my way of seeing life has changed.

When I was a little child then, Christmas was one of the happiest times of the year. Once the month of December reaches, my mind is already going towards Christmas. My childish behaviour will be activated. I will begin to remind my parents almost every day that Christmas is coming. Christmas is not complete then without buying new clothes, new shoes, and sometimes a wristwatch and new toys. Wearing old clothes on Christmas day was not an option at all. I will want something new, something that is the first time I'm wearing or using it.

One thing I enjoyed so much back then was going out. I would pressure my parents to take my siblings and me to places like the zoo or a park. The excitement of seeing animals, playing around, and taking pictures made the day feel more special.

After coming back from the park or zoo, I would go and regroup with my friends in the neighborhood. Together, we would move from house to house and street to street, greeting people and asking for Christmas gifts. Most times, what we wanted was money. If someone gave us biscuits or sweets instead of money, we may end up rejecting it. We felt money was better because we will use it to buy what we want for ourselves without asking our parents.

(2011 Christmas day)

Aside from going out, Christmas was a eating and drinking without limits. The food on Christmas day is usually prepared special. The ingredients that were not used for cooking during normal days, will be used on Christmas day. Fanta was my favourite drink then. I would drink it like water. Chocolates, sweet candies, meat, rice, and chicken were everywhere. I will eat and eat until my stomach would not longer contain anymore intake. I also enjoyed fireworks, knockouts, and bangers, even though my parents warned me to be careful with them. Though fireworks, knockouts were later ban due to the insecurity issues, we still use them secretly. At that time, Christmas was loud, it was playful, and full of excitement.

(Me and my mom and uncle on Christmas day)

But now, when I think about those things, they feel very childish to me. Sometimes, it makes me to smile when I remember them. I won't lie to you, there are times I feel a little nostalgic and wish I could revisit those moments. But nahh, I can't now, deep inside I know maturity has taken its place. I no longer feel the need to pressure anyone for new clothes. I don’t count Christmas by what I wear or how much I eat and drink. I don’t feel excited going from house to house asking for gifts. Those things no longer fit who I am now. Maturity has changed my priorities. Though Christmas still feels very special because of its significance, the childish feelings are no longer there, I still see it as normal days. I think more about my life, responsibilities and family. Instead of thinking about what I will get, I think about what I can give and just be grateful for life. I even prefer to rest more at home that day than roaming around.

Maturity has not taken away the joy of Christmas oh, but it has reshaped it. The excitement is no longer on the surface, it is inside. It has stopped me from doing many of the things I once found fun as a child, but it has given me something better, the understanding, the balance, and a true sense of what Christmas truly means.

I wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. Peace and love!!!!.