It’s sad how many people can no longer share love the way it used to be shared back in the past. Things are so different now, people are so “woke” and terrified that it has taken so many things from us, including the joys of the season. There were a lot of things that we enjoyed about this season, and for many of us, it wasn’t just the knockouts and fireworks that we had to play with.
It also wasn’t just about getting to eat food with our family members or receiving gifts that we’ve always wanted, or rocking new clothes and sporting new shoes. These were some of our fondest memories when it came to Christmas, but I think one of the greatest losses we’ve faced over time is the community that it brought about.
During my teenage years, it was hard for me to spend the entire day at home on Christmas Day. I didn’t go out to exotic spots or visit restaurants, instead, my friends and I would simply gather ourselves and start going from one place to another, visiting each other’s homes. We’d start at the home of any one of us and from there, we’d begin our epic journey. Eating rice and chicken at every stop.
By the time our homes were exhausted, we then started visiting other notable adults. In a day, we could visit at least ten homes. Along the way, we’d be gisting and blowing knockouts. If we had wanted to flex in some other way, we could easily have done it, but we just preferred this method. Having these parents pray for us and feed us, was always so much fun back then.
By evening, many of us would be too tired to do anything else except go home. We’d be too full to even eat dinner in our homes. All we’d do is sleep. This made us purge many times, but it didn’t stop us from repeating the process on Boxing Day and the day after as well. It was always crazy, but it was always so much fun.
This wasn’t all though. This was also a period where neighbors could easily cook more than enough meals just so they could share them with their neighbors. My mother did it a lot, she was one to share meals in the compound just as when others gave theirs, she received them as well. Christmas was always a season where Rice and Stew was always Very Plenty. No matter what!
Sadly, so much has changed over the years. I don’t know if it’s just the economic situation of the country or just people’s tolerance. These days being able to cook enough for your small family unit is a miracle and once that is achieved, you’d thank God and begin to look forward to your next meal. But then, when someone manages to cook extra and share, there are those who would not be so willing to accept.
A lot of things have changed and I’m afraid that it’s not for the better. And then, while I’m now too old to be roaming from house to house looking for free food this season, I’m not seeing kids doing it these days. I even asked around, and many people told me that no one was coming anymore. Is this because everyone is being considerate of the financial implications of the economy? Or are people just scared of eating food cooked by someone else?
Because during our time, it wasn’t just about the food or the drinks. It was just us having fun together and enjoying the season in our way. A lot of memories were made this way, and this was a period before social media became as addictive as it is today. I can only hope that things get better for us. I pray that we return to the period when Christmas was really all about giving and sharing love. Because what we’re observing these days is just not it.
Sadly, no matter how badly you want to share, your account balance has to be on board. If not you’ll be digging a pit for yourself. May things get better, indeed.
Happy Celebrations to you once again!!!
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