I always associate December with warmth and happiness. It feels so surreal to look back at the year that has gone by and anticipate for what is yet to come. When I think hard about why December elicits such a feeling, I helplessly stumble down the memory lane.
My story begins from being a student of a Christian school for over ten years. December was the month when going to school itself felt like entering into the land of angels. Christmas decorations were everywhere amidst the sweet sound of carols. We hardly studied. The month began with audition rounds for various activities ranging from drama to dance and the choir - I’ve been there and done that. Morning to evening all we did was practice for our events and performed trial runs endlessly. The stone walls of my school echoed with the sweet melody of the choir followed by the upbeat music of Lezim that filled us all with vigour.
The Annual Day in December began early with all us girls assembling with our bags full of costumes and make-up kits. We bonded with seniors and juniors across different classes, a memory still stuck somewhere in the back of my mind, because we didn’t carry our phones. The pictures taken by school came in the form of a CD that was given to us after a month. We eagerly waited for our parents to arrive in the evening and help us with getting ready. It was an endearing sight, all our little faces full of powder, red blush and dark lipstick, shining bright under the glow of the spotlight.
As a part of the choir once, I absolutely became one with the Christmas vibes. We sang carols all day in sync with the Christmas play. On a huge stage, the birth story of Lord Jesus Christ - the Nativity Play - unfolded and the choir stood behind, complimenting them.
“We Three Kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star”
These words are etched into my heart and take me away to a magical place and time. Even after all these years, I remember these carols and long for those December’s to come back again.
Oh to go back to those Christmas parties! It was one of the days we eagerly looked forward to as we got to flaunt our favourite dresses and get compliments from friends and teachers. It was always surprising to see the ‘glow up’ of my classmates on such days, as we were only used to seeing each other with our well-oiled hair and in the uniform. We all got goodie bags and snacks that we enthusiastically took back to share the joy with our families. Those goodie bags were internally exchanged between friends for their colour preferences,
“Tujhe blue writing pad mila hai? Please muje de na…aur mera red wala rakh le!”
(You got the blue writing pad, right? Please give that to me and take my red one!)
We all huddled before Santa Claus as he threw chocolates from his huge red bag. We sang carols in English, Hindi and Marathi (the English-Marathi Jingle Bell fusion was our favourite), danced and watched several Christmas themed performances. Those were the best days!
As December approaches, I automatically start craving for that atmosphere. My brain is already in a festive mood. But no one at home is as excited. There are no carols, no party, no Christmas decorations or participation in events. But I make up for it by going back to my alma mater and attending the fun-and-fairs and annual days. But 2020 messed up that too, didn’t it?
Nostalgia always comes rushing back in December. It makes me realize that life is so fleeting. Time escapes our grasp like sand. All we can do is cherish each moment and lock it safely in our heart. As the tide of time moves incessantly, it fills us with memories and those memories keep us going.
My story begins from being a student of a Christian school for over ten years. December was the month when going to school itself felt like entering into the land of angels. Christmas decorations were everywhere amidst the sweet sound of carols. We hardly studied. The month began with audition rounds for various activities ranging from drama to dance and the choir - I’ve been there and done that. Morning to evening all we did was practice for our events and performed trial runs endlessly. The stone walls of my school echoed with the sweet melody of the choir followed by the upbeat music of Lezim that filled us all with vigour.
The Annual Day in December began early with all us girls assembling with our bags full of costumes and make-up kits. We bonded with seniors and juniors across different classes, a memory still stuck somewhere in the back of my mind, because we didn’t carry our phones. The pictures taken by school came in the form of a CD that was given to us after a month. We eagerly waited for our parents to arrive in the evening and help us with getting ready. It was an endearing sight, all our little faces full of powder, red blush and dark lipstick, shining bright under the glow of the spotlight.
“We Three Kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star”
These words are etched into my heart and take me away to a magical place and time. Even after all these years, I remember these carols and long for those December’s to come back again.
Oh to go back to those Christmas parties! It was one of the days we eagerly looked forward to as we got to flaunt our favourite dresses and get compliments from friends and teachers. It was always surprising to see the ‘glow up’ of my classmates on such days, as we were only used to seeing each other with our well-oiled hair and in the uniform. We all got goodie bags and snacks that we enthusiastically took back to share the joy with our families. Those goodie bags were internally exchanged between friends for their colour preferences,
“Tujhe blue writing pad mila hai? Please muje de na…aur mera red wala rakh le!”
(You got the blue writing pad, right? Please give that to me and take my red one!)
We all huddled before Santa Claus as he threw chocolates from his huge red bag. We sang carols in English, Hindi and Marathi (the English-Marathi Jingle Bell fusion was our favourite), danced and watched several Christmas themed performances. Those were the best days!
As December approaches, I automatically start craving for that atmosphere. My brain is already in a festive mood. But no one at home is as excited. There are no carols, no party, no Christmas decorations or participation in events. But I make up for it by going back to my alma mater and attending the fun-and-fairs and annual days. But 2020 messed up that too, didn’t it?
Nostalgia always comes rushing back in December. It makes me realize that life is so fleeting. Time escapes our grasp like sand. All we can do is cherish each moment and lock it safely in our heart. As the tide of time moves incessantly, it fills us with memories and those memories keep us going.