Christmas tiddings (and writings)

This Christmas we enjoyed in our community with close friends and people who are practically family. We were invited to 2 celebrations on the 24th and 2 on the 25th. The 24th was spent eating lunch at Arili and Mauricio's with all of their immediate and some more distant family. In all we were around 25 people, many of whom we knew well from the Ciudadela, but all of which we spent some time chatting with throughout the afternoon. The picture shows Arili, Claudia, and Alexander (two of her children). Supper was a date at Luis and Wilma´s (Luis who teaches Tom guitar and Wilma (his wife) is a member of AMUDESCO with Melissa), and the two children of Wilma and her father. We had visited them before and enjoyed returning as they all have a little spunk and plenty of energy. We walked home that near full moon night to join in the DJ dance at Arili and Mauricio's. The 25^th (which here in El Salvador is not celebrated as much as the 24^th) was spent visiting a few neighbors in the morning and the family of Nena (Gloria’s oldest daughter) and her family in the afternoon, eating nearly everywhere we went. For both of us this was our first Christmas away from family and friends, whom we did miss terribly, and unfortunately the season just didn’t feel the same. Nonetheless we felt content in our environment and were happy to be able to celebrate with other families to experience holidays here. But oh how I miss those Christmas goodies!! I went the whole season without gaining a pound….now that is sad.

We baked banana bread and gave those loaves to 13 families who live near us, or with those whom we’ve developed special relationships. We hope that the small gift we were able to give warmed their hearts in the way they have welcomed and warmed a place in ours. We received many warm thanks and grateful responses but hoped that they felt our appreciation for each of them that is sometimes difficult to express. A interesting difference to us was that none of the families we visited placed presents under trees and many of them did not exchange presents at all. While lack of money is certainly part of a reason for this fact, those that we visited seemed to look foreword to certain foods and family time as well. We understand that air in our community had a different spirit of Christmas feeling to it. One that at times seemed to be expressed in a sad pause of realizing this day was as much of a struggle as any other.

One such example was that upon arriving we learned that Nena was not able to celebrate Christmas due to no money for gifts, food etc.. We invited Nena, Walter, Gabby, Juan Carlos and Carolina to have lunch at our house a few days after Christmas. It was eminent how appreciative they were of the meal we had given them (pasta, chicken nuggets and garlic bread) and stated that they had not had that variety of food in a long time. So, giving them a variety from their typical beans and rice was our Christmas present to them and their happiness and appreciation was their offering to share with us.

Our christmas coffee tree

Posted by Melissa and Tom