Stories · Curiosities · Questionable Ideas · Rather a Lot of Imagination · Farah Sam · Author & Creator ·
Christmas Light in a Nearly Finished House
On Christmas Eve, the Star Family celebrates their first holiday on Avenue de Havilland. While the older kids head out to the bustling village Christmas Carnival with Sabine and her daughters, Mum and a chattering Ariadne stay cozy at home, baking cookies and playing with the twinkling tree lights.
THE STAR FAMILY BLOG
Farah Sam
12/31/20212 min read
Diary Entry: Friday Zen level: High (overflowing with gratitude, warmth, and festive magic) Chapters written: 2 pages (the author’s soul is happy) Current status: Watching the soft glow of Christmas lights reflect on clean floorboards
It is Christmas Eve, and a quiet, magical snowfall has coated the cobblestones of Avenue de Havilland. This evening, the village square is hosting its annual Christmas Carnival, filled with bright flashing lights, loud brass bands, and bustling crowds. Because Ariadne is highly sensitive to noise and gets easily overwhelmed by crowds, she and I decided to stay home in our warm, cozy sanctuary, while Farhaan and Yasmeen headed out to the carnival with Sabine, Noor, and the other Yasmeen. They returned home flushed with cold air, laughing and chattering excitedly about the festive stalls and hot roasted chestnuts.
Before they left, Farhaan and I spent the afternoon baking a spectacular batch of vegan holiday chocolate-chip cookies, filling the house with a rich, warm sweetness. I set up a beautiful gourmet cheese board on the kitchen counter, piled high with fresh grapes, walnuts, and vegan cheeses to welcome them back.
Ariadne was in pure, bubbling delight all evening. She chatters constantly when she is happy, and she spent the night sitting on the soft rug under our decorated Christmas tree, completely fascinated by the twinkling fairy lights. She laughed and giggled as she gently touched the warm bulbs, pointing at the shiny wooden star ornament Yasmeen had hung on a low branch.
When she suddenly got hungry and let out her familiar, sharp cry, I pointed her to her holiday snack tray on the low coffee table, which was stocked with a slice of bread, a croissant, yogurt, and milk. She independently reached out, grabbed a piece of croissant, and settled down happily under the tree, chattering to the twinkling lights.
Closing: In the deep, quiet midnight, with the children asleep and the tree lights glowing softly in the dark room, I sat on my mat by the fireplace. I took a deep, slow, and restorative breath, letting the peace of the night wrap around me. I moved through a series of gentle, slow yoga stretches, releasing the physical and emotional fatigue of the entire year. I sat in a comfortable cross-legged position, rested my hands on my knees, and closed my eyes. In the warm, quiet dark, I offered a silent prayer of gratitude for our new home, our beautiful village, and the grand, hopeful adventure ahead.