Felis noche buena!

The joy of the season is here. It’s in the faces of folks we meet daily. Their smile says it all: Felis noche buena!

In the meantime, I keep an ear on the baseless impeachment inquisition in D.C. by the Democrats headed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi. She’s convicted Trump with personal opinions, a tyrannical witchhunt that has begun fading into the ash heap of history.

Isn’t it the 63 million voters who placed the Donald in the WH? Could their rightful expression be nullified by shallow legislative procedure riddled with hyperbolic screed?

Of course, the 2020 presidential race is central an issue, hence his nemesis would find ways to trip the Donald. His successes on the national economy translating into more jobs and higher pay make countering his accomplishments difficult.

I use this period for meditative renewal to reset buttons on a personal and spiritual basis. It’s the anchor that holds my boat close to shore. Blessed, I look forward with confidence and commitment to meet daily challenges. Felis noche buena yan añu nuebu!

Tough

We may be poor but not relegated into the miseries of poverty as defined by federal regulations.

In other words, life on an island is simple and our way of life ensures we take care of one another in helpful ways. Whether we work as farmers or fishermen, that grand sense of extending a helping is prominent in our culture.

Indeed, a major shift entered when government employment was made available. It was a dilemma of a Lower Base job or the old farm and lagoon.

Most found work at Lower Base. It was a lot easier bringing home the bacon than working under the sun clearing family land, including swallowing saltwater by fishing.

The transition was difficult in that the new job doesn’t sufficiently provide for real basic family needs either. Thus it was supplemented doing farm work after hours. We continued planting and raising small livestock for sustenance.

The old ways were woefully hard for young people, the walk to the farm, returning after sunset bone-tired. Thus the slow transition for more part-time work after school. I worked as a janitor throughout high school. It was the only way to supplement food and school needs.

Poverty taught me one thing, though: humility! I endured every step of that difficult period of my life taking things as they unfold in my quiet ways. Trust me, it was hard! Physical exhaustion, hunger and studying don’t go together.

Poverty entails the lack of basic needs while stuck in no man’s land literally praying for something to break for the better. If it’s boiled banana and salt for dinner then deal with it. I did!

It was in the misery of poverty that I learned what hunger is all about. Ever stared at an empty dinner table where inedible pork fat on the firewood stove is burning to let neighbors know you’re cooking something for supper?

Noche Buena!

Local family gathering is one joyous occasion this time of year. The import of the occasion is filial reconnection and renewal once more. It’s about the family and how fitting the occasion!

There are lots of jovial conversations, singing, laughter and food. I miss the family gathering we used to have a long time ago.

Family gathering begins with the kissing of the hands of our elders. Then lunch or dinner is served with lots of local delicacies. It was sheer joy the conversation and singing local Christmas songs.

Though now in memory lane we had a grand time. Felis noche buena!

Presents

It was in school that we learned of Christmas presents in a small box from the Red Cross. All the items in each box are the same from small tops to bobby pins.

Later, it was decided to do class exchange gifts. I suffered under this arrangement hailing from a home floored in poverty. I mean, a dollar or two would buy cans of tuna or sardine that covers an entire family meal.

There’s no way I could get money for gifts. So the answer was to miss class on the designated day—class party—and I did!

Music

I’d play music of yesteryears or songs we used to sing in the old village. It’s “traditional” songs we sang through the years.

There are songs that are a bit sentimental bringing fond memories of family members we once shared time together, singing. It was family music that occasionally rings in my ear these days. I miss singing with my late mom and brothers. Yes, let’s sing Tafan Magof Todu.