Reader Submission: Thoughts on Christmas…
Dear editors,
In the days before Christmas and New Year's Eve you sometimes want to tell your story as a foreigner who has been in the Netherlands for years Thailand lives.
Put up the Christmas tree again yesterday. All golden balls and 200 hundred lights. I live about 20 kilometers south of Pattaya (towards Sattahip) just between the Thai people in an old fishing village. Never a problem with anyone. Also because of my own commitment simply accepted by everyone.
The children came to look again, at the tree with all those lights. I'm not religious myself and that tree has nothing to do with it, but the children think it's beautiful. As I mentioned, that tree is there and gives me a special feeling.
I sat outside with a beer and the family (my Thai wife and granddaughter) had already gone to sleep after watching Thai soap. Then the thoughts go to the past, years ago.
It was also Christmas and my mother was in her last phase of life. She had colon cancer. Normally, of course, always good food at Christmas with me or with my parents with the rest of the family. But in that situation, of course, that was not the case. I remember buying a Christmas arrangement with a large green candle in the middle. When I gave it to her, the candle (for whatever reason) was broken. She couldn't even do that. When years later my sister died of the same illness at the same age (54 years), it was of course a tragedy. I had no other brother or sister.
I'm not going to be dramatic about it. When my granddaughter (not my blood) comes home from school I am always happy.
When I sit by that tree and look at the lights I still have to think about that time and miss my children and grandchildren and friends. Always have to shed a tear. Fortunately, as long as I stay healthy, I am able to visit everyone again once every two years.
Despite everything, that Christmas tree is always the reason to think about a lot.
I wish the editors and everyone who enjoys the blog very happy holidays and a great New Year.
Submitted by J.
Dear J.
Quite the emotion described in your post.
Like you, I have very fond memories of Christmas with my wife and children, family and friends. Fortunately not combined with worrying situations like you.
The Christmas tree was built together with the children for years, very festive, on Christmas Eve a little later I only draped Angel hair around it and on Christmas morning the Christmas tree was shining, beautiful.
At the end of the year you sometimes think back to the past.
I especially cherish the beautiful memories. Living in Thailand with my Thai wife for quite a few years, I didn't do anything with a Christmas tree, I was usually not at home on those days and certainly not to avoid those days.
You also have those happy memories, isn't it wonderful. Perhaps it will help you to let your reflections dominate mainly by your pleasant memories of those great days back then to compensate for the loss.
I wish you, the editors of Thailandblog, the bloggers and readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Nico B
It's the little things that count and you have to keep seeing and appreciating them. Every house has its cross and other statements like that. However, they are true and come to all of us. Some more than others, but without sadness and sadness there is no happiness. The past is known and the future uncertain. Let's wait and see what 2018 has in store for us. I wish everyone a lot of wisdom and think especially of the fellow man and not too much of yourself, because quite a few people are affected by that. Rest assured that the world will look better then. So dear people make something of it, because we do have influence on many things. Have it all right, for now and in the future and we don't need Christmas and New Year's for that, right.
I wish you a very merry Christmas