All I Want For Christmas


As Christmas draws near, a sense of desolation descends upon me. This is the first major festive season I will not be sharing with Mum. We never celebrated Christmas in a big way. Still, I sorely miss Mum and the small feasts we used to have together.

Last year, we got a stuffed roast chicken and observed the Yuletide with Wuan and Mr. Tan, our neighbour. It was a small party but we had a hearty meal sharing the occasion with friends who were dear to us.

I put up my very first Christmas tree this year. I really wished Mum is here to see it. After the lights were strung and lit up, I sat there watching them blink and thought how happy Mum would have been if she could be here to see that sight.

This year, Wuan will be coming with Rosalynn, Justin and Sabrina to celebrate Christmas with me. Rosalynn is Wuan?s younger sister while Justin and Sabrina are Rosalynn?s kids. I am deeply touched that Rosalynn and her kids have taken the effort to come celebrate this festival with me and Wuan. Thanks Ros, you are a gem.

Despite my current pensive mood, I hope we will have a nice time together, soaking in the ambience of the festivities. It is always nice to be sharing significant moments with good friends. Mum would have wanted it that way for me.

Author: Peter Tan

Peter Gabriel Tan. Penangite residing in the Klang Valley. Blissfully married to Wuan. A LaSallian through and through. Slave to three cats. Wheelchair user since 1984. End-stage renal disease since 2017. Principal Facilitator at Peter Tan Training specialising in Disability Equality Training. Former columnist of Breaking Barriers with The Borneo Post. This blog chronicles my life, thoughts and opinions. Connect with me on Twitter and Facebook.

8 thoughts on “All I Want For Christmas”

  1. An advanced Merry Christmas to you Peter 😀

    Sigh, and to think I won’t be at home with my family in Penang for christmas… *sniff* But I am lucky I do have someone special to celebrate christmas here in Malacca 🙂

  2. Thank you Natasha. Actually I am not a Christian but it had always been fun to get into the festive mood during this time of year. Where you celebrate an occasion is not as important as who you spend it with. Have fun in Malacca with that lucky someone of yours.

  3. Hi Peter,
    It must be really tough when your mum has been so much a part of your life. But if there is any reason for joy, it should be that your mum is in a place where every day is Christmas because she is in God’s presence. I have no doubt that you will have a very nice Christmas cos you have good company to spend it with. Cheers!

  4. Hi Carol,
    Thank you for the comforting words. It is tough indeed to have to go through this season when the grief is still fresh in my mind. I miss Mum so much.

    It is messages like yours that makes it easier, and I am fortunate to have very caring friends who take my welfare into their concern in a time like this.

    Everyday I pray that Mum is at peace where she has gone to. And I truly hope everyday is a Christmas for her.

    Merry Christmas to you, Carol.

  5. What a beautiful tree 🙂
    We’ve always put one up every year – although we don’t actually celebrate christmas (My family is Baha’i). For some reason, things have been too busy for any of us to think of bringing out the tree – but thanks for reminding me.

    I hope you have a wonderful time with your friends. Remembrance of a loved one is all we can do, and sometimes we are left feeling like they really are here with us during those times. MERRY CHISTMAS!

  6. Prema,
    Holding on to the memory of our loved ones and praying for them is all we can do, almost. I am sure they would want us to be strong and will always be looking over us from somewhere up there. Thank you and Merry Christmas.

  7. Dear: Peter,
    Wow! What a beautiful decorated christmas tree you have. I wish you have a wonderful christmas with your friends.
    I will be going back to my Hometown in Taiping tomorrow to celebrate christmas with my family and relatives. They will be having a Christmas caroling tomorrow night at her house . We are now in happy mood and cant wait till the 25th of Christmas.

    I wish You a wondeful christmas and Happy New Year 2004.

    Hope to hear from your reply.

    “MERRY CHRISTMAS &HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU.

    BEST WISHES AND HAVE A WONDEFUL CHRISTMAS.

    Sonia.

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