My grandparents’ absence from Bogota has changed more aspects of my life than I ever thought. Not only have I become familiar with La Dorada and family gatherings have become more meaningful, but the meaning of Christmas has changed completely. Without my grandparents, novenas are accessory, meaningless, an excuse to gather your neighbors and/or drink. Christmas music is driving me crazy, the same three songs over and over and over, everywhere.
I’m quite sure I’m not getting presents aside from my parents’ and Minori’s. It doesn’t matter, though; sometimes I wish Christmas didn’t involve presents, just gatherings and food. Maybe Christmas is just an excuse… an excuse to get people together. However, La Dorada has been our excuse to visit my grandparents more often. Maybe that’s way Christmas doesn’t seem too important to me this year.