Christmas in Zimbabwe

I’ve missed 4 out of the past 5 Canadian Christmasses. But for some reason, this one feels more difficult that any of the previous absences. I think it’s because here in this beautiful Zimbabwean farm, among the masses of people and animals, I feel.truly.alone. There, I admitted it on my blog for the first time…
First Christmas missed (2006) – Spent climbing a Himalayan Mountain in Nepal with Muna and family, drinking tea, eating Nepali food, and catching the most amazing glimpse of a morning sunrise over the mountains.
Second Christmas missed (2007) – I hosted Christmas at my Kathmandy apartment and had several good friends over: Shitu, Tenzin, Tashi, and Tara from Lake Forest College. Tara and I baked magic squares because, although we had no recipe and had to improvise on some of the ingredients, those squares happened to be part of BOTH of our family Christmas traditions.
Third Christmas missed (2008) – Spent in Thailand with Muna, Justin, Tara, Louis, Alex, Erin, and several other Thailand friends, swimming in pools, having brunch at my flat, afternoon drinks at another friend’s, and Christmas dinner at a local pub. Later that night, Sahnah arrived in Thailand and we departed the next day for Anchor Wat.
Fourth Christmas missed (2009) – Louis and I bought a Christmas tree and decided to buy each other LOADS of gifts, which we opened over the course of three days. That evening, I went to a friend’s beautiful flat for the most exquisite Christmas feast I’ve ever experienced. After, Louis and I joined some of his friends for drinks by the Chao Praya River.
Fifth Christmas missed (2011) – I am here on a beautiful farm in Zimbabwe. I went horseback riding in the gorgeous sunshine, then came back and have had a fairly ordinary afternoon: reading, bathing, eating lunch… Tonight I am going over to B section to have dinner with Helene and family, and tomorrow I am spending the day with Cat and Lance and their relatives. Yet, for some reason, some Christmas magic is missing and I am longing for my family more than I ever have. I think it’s the absence of true friends. Those other four Christmasses were special because, though I wasn’t with family, I was with true, lifelong friends. Muna, Sahnah, Alex, Erin, Tara, Louis, Tenzin, Shitu… these are people that will always hold special places in my heart, not just momentarily. THEY made my Christmasses special. Because Christmas, after all, is about being with people you love.
The people on the farm have been good to me these past few months. And they are kindly welcoming me into their homes and their family traditions this Christmas. Yet, I can’t help but sense the impermanence of my connection to them. And THAT is the real reason I am on my own this Christmas. Thank goodness for Sammy dressing up in a Christmas bow 🙂