My Christmas Day

It started off as one of my favorite days in the world. It was mid December, the snow fell for what seemed like hours on end. I always have loved these days. The ones where you sit at home with your family at night and drink hot chocolate while the snow is falling outside. My birthday was a couple days before, while Christmas would soon come after. Christmas songs heard all over; on the radio, at home, in school, it was such a joyous time of year. I couldn’t be more happier.

December 17, I had to endure a long hard journey but it made me into the person I am

My family--two daughters, sons-in-law, and three grandchildren--had gathered at my favorite Italian restaurant to celebrate my birthday. They stood and clapped when I swept into the room. I smiled, pleased that I could still make an entrance. “Hello, everybody. Thanks for coming.”

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” It was September 20, 2016, one of the many times I talk to to my Nana. I got to sing happy birthday to her over a video chat. I was really happy to see her smile and I knew it was her day. She had a yellow crown, that said happy birthday. My Nana’s birthday was a day that had were other family’s birthday too, like my cousin Gabby, and also my auntie’s due date was that day too, but she didn’t give birth that day.

Sunday stared off with a visit to my grandparents’ house for Easter. I had not seen my grandparents in a couple weeks, so it was great to finally spend time with them again. While at their house, I spent time reminiscing about the days spent at my grandmother’s house when I was younger. It felt good to remember playing in the mud with my cousins and exploring our space. I can make this happen again by ensuring to spend more time giving back to the special place that made me who I am today.

As the decorations were hung around the house my Grandmother said “It’s ready”. It was the day i was moving to the U.S.A. As i was cautiously walking off the airport. I took a good deep breath and sighed it was the smell of freedom.

"Okay, thank you Miss. Harriet." I silently waited for Miss. Harriet to come back out, keeping a close watch on my daddy's bedroom window. If the light came on, I'd run back inside real fast. I wasn't supposed to be outside alone without him knowing, and usually I wouldn't disobey daddy. Today was a special occasion.

After a couple hours of unwrapping gifts, the rest of the night was singing, eating, laughter,

“Knock Knock Knock,” goes the sound as my grandmother walks through the front door. My eyes are drawn to the bags in her hands as she begins spreading out their contents on the table. Scattering through paintbrushes, feathers, and massive amounts of acrylic paints I become more and more excited by my new treasures.

As the list was finally finished, the shopping began. I got to travel to many stores with my mother as we searched for the needed items for the Taylors. I couldn’t contain my excitement while we were shopping. I just had a joyful feeling as we shopped. It really brought the Christmas spirit and made me even more excited to hear about the Taylors’ Christmas. We collected and bought all the presents for the Taylors and our living room was filling up with the many gifts. That meant it was time for us to begin

13 is going to my great-uncle’s house on my birthday, Christmas Eve, just like every year. The Christmas tree is bright and colorful, with all the presents underneath its light. The presents under the tree are for Christmas and my birthday as well. Many of my relatives are here: aunts, uncles, my parents, great-aunts and uncles, and they sit by the couches as they arrive, catching up on all the news, while I go upstairs to play with my six-year-old cousin, Melody. We play whatever she wants, but I teach her some games that I know as well. When it is time, everyone eats dinner, where there are a variety of Chinese foods some I like and some I don’t, but that’s alright with me. Gradually, the cups fill with wine and apple cider, and the conversation

“Yeah?” my father said. His voice was weak. He hesitated, as if trying to think of something witty to say to that, then gave up and settled for cracking a feeble smile.

Everything inside was the best things that I have ever had in my life. The box just proved how great the love between my grandfather and myself was. He left me everything we had ever experienced together. The gin cards we would play with together, the grass seed from the grass where I learned how to do a somersault. He remembered everything. He knew that he wasn’t going to be around for everything I wanted him to be there for so he left the most important things to me in the world. He even remembered all of the tickets from the baseball games we went to. I even found the tickets and the programs from every show I

I stand on a dining room chair so I can reach the wide-mouthed bowl’s opening. My mother stands over my shoulder, watching my movements and holding my waist so I don’t fall. On the counter sits a large jar of off-brand peanut butter, waiting to be added to the buttery cookie dough. A perfect moment captured of a mother and daughter baking. The truth, however, is that in about two and a half minutes, my mother and I will be coated in a thick layer of flour, blown up by the spinning of the stand mixer.

The freezing cold seeped into my clothing and made me shiver. I was finally here. I slowly raised my hand to the button to ring my dad’s apartment. I was very reluctant to be here all alone not knowing what I had gotten myself into. My dad greeted me with the brightest smile,telling me to set my things in my new room. Nancy, his girlfriend, smiled warmly, greeted and asking me if I needed any help with anything to ask her. I set all my things into my new room. Christmas lights hung by the window and a twin sized bed was put in the left corner. A small closet was tucked to the left side of the door. I had set all my belongings onto the floor. I sat on the bed and thought through what had just happened.