CHRISTMAS gives me the creeps.
People move and talk like zombies trying to be happy but failing miserebly.
Families move heaven and earth to visit and be with relatives they see once a year, often doing double the work in the office to spend a few precious days with loved ones. The result is a zombie like trance for the overworked but Christmas pay check laden employee, trying to stay awake for festivites of the season.
The malls are filled with high strung fallseto voiced singers advocating cheer and peace in a shrill overly festive voice meant to warm your heart.
No warmed hearts only ears hurting from all the music.
These songs reek of a giddy happines often forced to be in theme with the season. Yultide songs are stuck in a damed if you do, damned if you dont situation.
If its too happy.. its fake... if its too sad then its overly dramatic.
Just like Christmas, there is no middle ground. You either love it or hate it. Nothing in between. You are for it or against it.
In an Asian country like ours, the Santas hired to loiter at the malls are either underweight or look like crazed clowns asking kids to sit on thier laps for wishes they will never be able to give.
And when the kid reaches a respectable age and wonders what happeded to thier whispered wishes... they will realize they have been had.
We go through the motions of Pasko to try to relive a memory.
Probably of happier times or in some cases not so happy times which we try to outshine in the best way possible.
In the effort to have a better holiday, things get lost in translation.
Pasko means different things to different people.. its mystery unlocked personally. Never a generic formula or a step by step you can watch in Youtube.
You are on your own.
Pasko is a time to try.
A time to try to bring cheer to the ones you carefully give your gifts to.
A time to try comfort those who had a rough year.
A time to try to collect whatever family you have and keep them close. However you efine family and in whatever way you know best to.
So knock yourself out in killing yourself in taking the trip to your family even if you become like a zombie. Just go.
Brave the irrittating carols and just listen.
Have a Pasko. Its the least we can do. Let's hope it is truly happy.