Home for the Holidays

Christmas decorations, Santa, candy, cookies, Christmas music, candy canes, lights, red and green, reindeer, gingerbread houses, carols, Christmas trees…these are the things that appear to dominate the Christmas season in the United States, where Americans seem to over-celebrate Christmas for all the wrong reasons. Most years, these traditions tend to get on my nerves, especially when the Christmas season begins before Thanksgiving and lasts through January…but this year I’m glad to be in the midst of it all.

It’s interesting having experienced Christmas in another culture (and being away from home over Christmastime) and comparing that experience to what typically happens here in the US. Last year felt very different – it took us much of the typical Christmas season (or at least most of December) to adjust to our new home in the city, the culture, the language, and the traditions, and each day was a new learning experience for what both Honduran and Spanish culture look like. I’m not sure if it was because of all these changes or if they really just don’t do very much for the holidays in Spain, but it sure didn’t feel like Christmas to us.

This holiday season is also different from most years, because I’m not at home (yet) – and it’s been one of the best I can remember. Straight in front of me as I sit at my desk is a live Christmas tree. It’s decorated with countless balls and other ornaments, strings of popcorn, and lights – including the one (and only) strand of blinking lights at the top. There are also plenty of other Christmas decorations around the house. Around the office are my fellow co-workers, all involved with their own work, occasionally talking to me or to one another. Laughter and jokes and banter are a common part of every day. I look to my left and see the pictures that I have put on my wall, of family, friends, and of my time in Spain – they hold so many wonderful memories. Behind me on the wall are the prayer cards of this year’s participants. Out the window, the sun is shining and giving the illusion that it really isn’t all that cold out – although I know it is. I love it here at HDC. It’s so much fun living here with the other volunteer staff. Our days are a lot less busy now that training is over, especially for my roles. We have more time to hang out, and just get to know each other, and there’s plenty of time for fun.

And soon I’ll be going home for Christmas break, for about two weeks. I’m looking forward to spending time with family and friends. This year, just being here is enough to make me happy – to be with the people that I know, to be surrounded by familiar things (especially to be able to fluently speak the same language as everyone else!), and even to be surrounded by our crazy American culture and it’s superficial love of celebration. Even if everyone else is not necessarily celebrating for the same reasons I am, I know the real reason for the season – and especially feel it after being away last Christmas. Sometimes, it’s a little disheartening to think about what it took for me to be thankful for all these crazy things, but it was definitely worth it – I wouldn’t trade last year’s experience for anything. Still, I’m just glad to be home for the holidays.