Everything is gradually changing, and this includes how we spend our holidays. In the past, the entire family would travel to the village a week or a few days before the festivals. Relatives who had been away for long would come back too, making it a warming time to catch up with cousins and nieces. It was always fun-filled, but a lot has changed over the years. Gradually, this culture of visiting the village faded away as our grandparents, who seemed to be the ones uniting the family, passed away. The cultural dances and the joy of visiting home to eat from every meal prepared slightly went with it.
There was no longer the Christmas jingle or the aromas that escaped from every kitchen when chicken had lost its decor. It was just the usual day marked every specific month, and this spirit that made the day memorable was preached against, especially when people lavished extravagantly to mark it. The ritual, though still held, lost the ancient spirit where children and adults longed for the day. There were no longer sounds of drums and town criers who announced the venue for the festivals. It became just a day that we lived over and over again.
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Now I'm grown, and a tiny pride within me says the holiday isn't for me. The scents of fried meat and the steam of boiling stew no longer entice me. I just tell myself I don't have to go hard to celebrate the day. I can just eat and take a few strolls or visit a friend who himself sees the day like a normal day with no great expectations, except that we thank God for yet another season while we break and chew bones from a small bowl and entertain ourselves with stories that make the day worthwhile.
However, this year is different. I have planned the holiday differently. It's not about visiting luxurious places or a friend, but about visiting my in-laws for the festival. I think at this stage of my life, I no longer think about myself, as I did when I was a bachelor with no one to worry about. This holiday has been planned since January. My betrothed told me of the plan to celebrate the festival with her parents, and I didn't object. I have never done that, and I think it's a good idea to spend the holiday at her parents' house. At least my in-laws need to know how much I eat for the first time, hahaha.
So as we set into the holiday period, I'll start making plans toward visiting my in-laws. I don't know how it's going to be, but I anticipate that day. I don't know if they celebrate the festivals big, but however they do it, I'll want to enjoy every moment that I stay over there. I doubt if they fancy a Christmas tree or Santa Claus surprises, but all I know is I'm not going empty-handed. While I stay with them over Christmas, I'll offer something as a remembrance that in this very year, I celebrated the festive season with them.
However, the only challenge that may not be a challenge is that I'm an introvert. While I love my cozy bed and the warmth of my room, I may be leaving them to enjoy a different space during this holiday.
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