Christmas cheer

Rebecca Anne Leonard is the most thoughtful person I have ever known.

You see, every year, I have a new favorite Christmas song which sort of becomes my Christmas theme song of the year. This year, my Christmas theme song is “Blue Christmas.”

I’ll have a blue Christmas without you.
I’ll be so blue thinking about you.
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won’t mean a thing if you’re not here with me.
I’ll have a blue Christmas, that’s certain,
And when that blue heartache starts hurtin’
You’ll be doing all right with your Christmas of white,
But I’ll have a blue, blue Christmas.

Christmastime is my favorite time of the year. I’m normally extra happy and joyful, and I infect everyone around me with my endless holiday cheer. This Christmastime, however, is completely different. There are no decorations, no holiday baking, no Christmas shopping, hardly any Christmas music. Worst of all is anticipating my first Christmas away from my family. I honestly never thought I’d ever spend a Christmas away from home, because my family means so much to me and missing Christmas with them seems like the worst experience imaginable. I knew it would be hard to be away from my family during this time of year, but I had no idea it would be this hard.

I felt sad all day yesterday. My 2008 Christmas theme song was playing in my head all morning, and I felt like I was on the brink of crying all day. I remember thinking that if only I had some sort of Christmas decoration in my room, I would be so much happier, but I don’t have very much money, and I don’t even know if there’s any place where I could buy Christmas decorations around here. I put on a happy face for my kids, but the entire day, my mind was miles away.

In the middle of the day, Sister Dorothy sought me out and handed me a package, and I was so excited when I finally returned to my room to open it. It was from my dear friend and former roommate Becca. I’ve never received a better care package than what was inside: a Christmas stocking, a Christmas garland, Christmas straws, a very sweet card, some pictures, and three balloons (Bartholomew Jr, Tommy, and little Elaine).

I was SO happy! I honestly never expected to receive any Christmas gifts in the mail, so I was so touched to know that Becca hadn’t forgotten me. The package arrived just in time, on the day I needed it most. I blasted Christmas music (NSYNC Christmas, to be exact) in my room as I strung the garland and hung the stocking on my closet door. I feel so much more joyful now that my room is decorated! I’m finally getting into the holiday spirit!

Thank you, Becca, for spreading Christmas cheer to this lonely American in Ghana. Your thoughtfulness means more to me than you’ll ever know. I love you more than all the sheep in Scotland, and I miss you very much, triplet! Mele Kalekemaka!