My Coldest Christmas Ever

December 25, 2004. This is one Christmas that I will never forget. No, it wasn’t because I didn’t have a human blanket. I have lived the last 31 Christmases of my life without one, so what else is new?

I spent my Christmas at the Island Paradise of Boracay. While I have so much to say about its being an island paradise, I will just leave it as it is for now, perhaps catch up on it in another one of my ramblings.

Going to Boracay was filled with expectations of lots of parties, action all over the place, and practically no time to sleep. Spending Christmas there was the complete opposite. Sure it was the beginning of the peak season..tourists, local and foreign, flocked the place in hordes but I must say it was really quiet. To think I stayed up in a cottage next to Summer Place, where there was a disco going on until 5:30 a.m. of December 25.

Most of those who danced at the Summer Place were foreign tourists. I can’t forget this motherly lady of around 55, who danced the night away, occasionally coming up to the ledge at the prodding of a younger generation that looks like her children. There were also local tourists who danced real well; that a left footed me got cold feet to muster any courage to go to the dance floor.

Instead, I stayed at the cottage and thanked God for all the blessings that 2004 has brought into my life. I specially thought of human blankets, and if I will ever be blessed to have one. Maybe next year? I thanked God anyway that if it pleases Him, he is able to provide me one at His will. I thank Him for the one person, that if human blankets are for sale, I would pick him without blinking an eyelash, but at the same time I told God, that I am open if ever he isn’t the one he meant for me. I would cry some, but I will get over it, because I know His will is always the best.

I would get up occasionally from my own little world, look at the crowd next to the cottage, even dance to some of the music. But it was still very cold.

And then I remember my parents and sister. Back in my hometown, spending Christmas by themselves, because my brothers couldn’t go home as planned. I also thought of Cebu, where my brothers were preparing for a celebration fit for thirty guests. To think there was only four of them left in the city.

I thought about my family…and someone I wanted to start a family with, and the wind felt really cold. It was as if it was berating me for spending Christmas in an island paradise, when the real paradise is there where your loved ones are.

Boracay is a beautiful place….but Christmas should be spent with families.