A Merry Christmas Eve to all those who celebrate! While it’s different this year, tonight has been a beautiful evening. I am thanking G-d for quarantine because I have been blessed. I know not everyone has had it easy this year and I’ve struggled too, but the struggles don’t weigh down the joyful moments. It truly was a merry-go-sorry year.
As you know, I don’t celebrate Christmas. I participate out of respect. Usually my aunt has something, but since we can’t gather this year, my parents agreed to a Jewish Christmas Eve. What’s a Jewish Christmas? Since Chinese restaurants are the only restaurants that are open on Christmas Eve and Christmas, a lot of Jewish people order Chinese food. My parents agreed to that and a game of Monopoly.
The Chinese restaurant down the street has delicious gluten-free options, so I ordered my diet chicken and my parents ordered their normal. We then played a game of Monopoly and I won. It pays to own yellow and orange properties (New York, Ventnor, Marvin Gardens, Atlantic Avenue) and have homes built on them. We all laughed and had a great time.
I’m grateful for these moments. Sometimes I have anxiety about my spiritual path because once COVID-19 ends, I’m going to start the process of becoming. While my parents have always accepted that I am not Catholic or Atheist (mom’s an Atheist) and that my spiritual path is mine, sometimes I get anxious about others accepting me. Some people called me the Grinch today, but I was having an anxiety attack. When things are finalized, I want people there to celebrate with me and take photos for scrapbooks. I shouldn’t look so far into the future and take it day by day. I’m thankful for the friends who understand and talk me out of the anxiety.
Last Sunday, Fletcher invited me to go ice skating. Fletcher is a young man from one of my Jewish groups and I’m grateful he thought of me. I couldn’t go last Sunday, but we are meeting up this Sunday for ice skating. I am getting us in with my insurance card. I’m really excited and it’ll be nice to hang out with someone from Next Gen/ Tribe 12.
I hope for the readers that celebrate, I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. What are you thankful for today?
The Happiness Box Project 
Hi, Jessica Marie!
Thanks for showing and telling us how you celebrated a Jewish Christmas Eve, dear friend! I’m sure I would have fun dining on Chinese food and playing a nostalgic game of Monopoly. Mrs. Shady brings home Chinese food every few weeks and sometimes makes it herself. It has probably been 60 years since I last played Monopoly, but it was one of my favorite games during childhood. Collecting a stack of play money $500 bills made me feel rich! 🙂 Looks like you played the game well and “Trumped” your parents. 🙂 I’m sorry to learn that your mom spent much of Christmas Eve in jail. 🙂 Your kitty must have wanted to play, too. I think he had his eye on the cat or the Scottie dog playing pieces. 🙂
I use humor to overcome anxiety. It works well. It was nice of Fletcher to invite you to go ice skating. I know you’ll have fun. No matter how you choose to celebrate this day, I wish you a safe and happy one, dear friend JM!
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Hi dear friend,
I’ve noticed that when I think too far in the future, that’s when my anxiety comes along. I was rejected by my peers in school and sometimes I worry that my past will be my future. However, in the present moment, that’s not the case at all. It most likely won’t be the case in the future and if some of it proves true, there’s many people who do welcome me and there are people out there who see I’m genuine.
One of my friends who converted to B’Hai told me this last night, “Jess,
That’s a worry that everyone has when they begin their spiritual journey. It’s you journey, God is the only one you have to answer to. If people reject you, that ‘s their problem.” She’s very much right.
Last night was fun. Today has been amazing so far, and I’ll update later. I hope you’re feeling at peace on this Christmas day. Have a great Christmas, dear friend!
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