What December means to me

 

Rachelle Taylor-SYBA

What December means to me

December is like Friday evening stretched out into a month - tired of the week gone by,

expectant for what's to come and unsure of what lies ahead. It means different things to

different people - joy for some, grief for some. For me - December is a mix of both.

Come 1st December and carols fill my Spotify queue. Everything just seems merry (and bright).

The month starts with cleaning, decorating, and a whole lot of arguments - “that doesn't go

there!?” ; and a constant reminder - “be careful, don't break that!!” Along with this, the dreaded

question - “What do I wear??!” and the buying and stitching and altering.

My most favourite part though comes later - sweets time. A reminder of all the Decembers spent

with my grandmother - stirring, kneading, frying, baking everyday for 5 days before Christmas.

Just the two of us determined to increase everyone's sugar levels - something I continue to do

every year to keep these cherished memories alive.

Come 25th time stands still and days blur into each other. The Christmas magic flows into

parties and meet and greets.

Which all quietly leads the way to a new beginning.

December is a magical time when chaos and quiet co-exist. When the chaos of a day leads into

the quiet of a night, of staring at the colourful lights and pretty decorations while reflecting -

“where has the time gone”.