Wishing everybody cherished holidays and a wonderful new year!
SAN FRANCISCO: My son’s end of term project is to share a family winter tradition with his class. Something symbolic that speaks volumes about his culture. Something that fits right up there along with the Christmas ornaments, the Hanukkah candles and the Kwanzaa cakes.
Come winter, my family gets involved in a lot of idiosyncrasies that we follow with religious fervor, but revealing them in class may jeopardize my son’s social standing in first grade.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
As the crisp Northerlies settle in, the festive season is heralded by a fresh bout of seasonal affective disorder. That’s what the kids nowadays are calling human hibernation, cuddling under 3 layers of blankets for 15 hours at a stretch; ignoring goals and deadlines; growling when you step outside into the extreme weather conditions that prevail in suburban California.
Turkey troubles
Like most households in the US, our holiday festivities begin with the advent of Thanksgiving. After subjecting my family through various Turkey debacles over the years, I’ve resigned myself to the fact that all the spices of Arabia cannot impart desired flavors into the humongous bird that a packet of Shan Masala can do to a juicy chicken. So Tandoori chicken it is, that graces our Thanksgiving table.
Black Friday hangover
Black Friday shopping is a tradition I’ve abided year after year with clockwork precision. Preparations begin weeks in advance when I fanatically pore through tons of sales brochures that pile up on my doorstep, stalking for the best deals in Ninja blenders, Columbia jackets, Tommy Hilfiger shirts, and other basic necessities. I endure cold weather and long queues; map my course through the stores to optimize my shopping expedition. All that retail therapy and contribution to the economy just went down the drain when I read this news: “40 million credit cards compromised.”
Now I frantically pore through articles titled,’ What to do if your credit card is hacked’
Reindeers and Santa
Bang after Thanksgiving, the seasonal spirit becomes glaringly obvious with the recurrence of lighted reindeers, inflatable Santas, and twinkling lights in every nook & cranny in the neighborhood. And we bring out the excuses to dole out to the kids.
‘The reindeer poop on the lawn’;
‘All that electricity could light up a village in India’;
‘Do you want me to break my leg falling off the roof?’
As the kids grow older, their gullibility and parental affection is wearing thin, and we are running out of credible excuses.
Jingles all the way
Just as the snowmen invade the neighborhood lawns, holiday music hit the airwaves with a vengeance. It is playing when you are stuck in traffic, in the mall, and even the Asian supermarket has switched from traditional Chinese music.
And when you make it back home, there’s your boy practicing for his winter pageant; an off-key rendition in full falsetto:
‘This little light of mine…. I’m gonna let it shine…’
Granted, the last part is quite adorable, but after hearing winter wonderland in jazz, rock, and country versions, I’m beginning to miss Katy Perry’s ‘Roaaarrrr!’
Family reunions
Here’s one tradition we hold on to despite all the craziness that ensues.
My huge family being scattered over India, Middle East & corners of the U.S, coordinating a venue that ensures maximum attendance is a full-fledged adventure on its own.
My family reunions stand tall as a shining tribute to Murphy’s law. The underlying theme of these escapades can be outlined in two words: Getting lost.
Kids getting lost. Reservations, luggage, keys, purses, getting lost.
Getting lost on ski slopes, on freeways, getting lost in the Empire State Building, or getting lost while looking for an open McDonalds at midnight. Getting lost in time; with all the laughter, the kinship and catching up on one another’s life.
We may not celebrate Christmas, but we find plenty of reasons to celebrate. Weddings, babies, new houses, promotions, kid’s achievements, a day off work.
My son did not find anything tangible or significant to present in his class. But this contrived list of holiday traditions also includes reinforcement of faith for the New Year and earnest prayers for tolerance and Peace. His class will just have to take his word for it.
Wishing you all cherished holidays and a wonderful new year!
(Zenobia Khaleel has donned a lot of hats; writer, photographer, travel enthusiast, troop leader, amateur actor, event coordinator, community volunteer, but predominantly go by the title Mom.)
To contact the author, email to zenobiakhaleel@americanbazaaronline.com