It’s definitely not the Christmas I’m used to, but it will definitely be one I never forget. So I’ve traded in warm cookies right out of the oven and presents under the tree for a campfire version of semi-cookie dough and random findings from shops haphazardly wrapped in scrap paper. And I can’t help but think – as cheesy as it sounds – what is the meaning of Christmas?
Well you all know that story, but what I’m getting at is that holidays are the one consistent thing in this world. No matter where you are, no matter how you celebrate, people are all experiencing the same feelings and emotions. People are still grateful for their loved ones. It is on this Christmas in particular, where I am far from my friends and family, that I am grateful for them. But most importantly, I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn that it doesn’t matter if you wrap a gift in expensive wrapping paper, or an old toilet paper wrapper, what’s inside is exactly the same. This day; this whole theology, is fascinating. Before I began my freshman year of college, I had an interview with the man that would become my academic advisor for the next four years, and possible life advisor for the rest. He asked me why I wanted to study graphic design, and I struggled to think of some sophisticated answer that would make him think highly of me. After several awkward pauses, I said that I wanted to become a designer because art is the only universal language. It’s the only thing that resonates with all of us, despite your culture, background, language, whatever. Sure, there can be different connotations attached to specific groups of people, but on the fundamental level, it is the visual world that takes precedence in life before we even learn how to speak. I wanted to know that in life I would be helping to sustain that world; the arena of the eyes.
Being abroad on Christmas has made me think of this again. Africa has proved to sustain my beliefs as well. I’ve been so fortunate in life; I tried to imagine ways that I could help others less fortunate. I just never stopped to think that those people I considered less fortunate did not actually consider themselves to be the same. In my experience abroad, I’ve found that as long as you are able to celebrate with your health and with your loved ones, you are fortunate. It’s a parable that I’ve heard in a jillion commercials, greeting cards and advertisements in the past. It didn’t feel like an absolute truth until just now.
Post party plans? I have about one more week of intensive training before I swear in as an official volunteer with the United States Peace Corps. That means interviews, sessions, studying, tests and saying goodbyes as I pack up all of my stuff and head out to site. I feel like an egg waiting to hatch. I feel like a kid waiting for Santa. It feels like it’s Christmas Day and I only have a week left until I do the thing that I came here to do, finally. Oh wait, that last ones true. It’s a good feeling:]
I hope that all of you are spending the holidays with your favorite people in the world. I might not be, but I’m doing something else great because of the love and support from those people. I’m not saying my family is better than yours or anything…(even though they totally are!) Just trying to let them know how much I care about them, as if they didn’t already know. Especially my nephew, who solely relies on the visual world.
With that being said, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.
