THREE weeks from now and it will already be Christmas, the most special time of the year. Sadly for me, I have yet to really feel the warmth and the joy of the season.
Blame it on the work overload where I am, on most days, running literally like a headless chicken. Do not get me wrong. It is a blessing to do the work that we do and trust me, this is still very much a fun thing to do.
I still wake up in the morning, despite the very limited sleep, with a smile on my face and ready to face the many surprises the day will present. It is not like I carry with me one big sack of coal that weighs down on my every step.
But as I complete one work to another, I forget how fast the days are passing by. It was August, September, October, November, and now we are already in December. Geez, I do not know about you guys, but do you feel that you are spending enough time for your family and yourself?
I have a friend who passed away, after a couple of months battling various illnesses, last Saturday. His name was Fidel, and he was only 24 years old. He had a bright future. He had the whole world in front of him.
We received the news while our family was having dinner. It gave me a heavy heart after a fun day where I saw in our kids’ eyes what it was like to feel the Christmas season again.
It really got me thinking. If the time comes that I become bed ridden, sick and breathing my last breath, would I have any regrets on how I lived my life? My honest answer will be not being able to spend enough time with my family.
It probably goes with the territory, but I never want to see family and friends gathered because I was on my deathbed. I do not want to see them crying while I am being revived in the emergency room.
I want to be around family and friends while I am still healthy enough to hug and kiss them, play, dine, go on trips, walks in the park or malls, and all those little things that make life worth living.
This was the same sentiment shared to me by Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila General Manager Adam Laker when I asked him during their Christmas tree-lighting event on his best Christmas memory.
Laker told me he cherishes the most the amount of time he is able to spend with his three young children. According to him, he is now at a point in his career where he is able to have more time with his family. He explained that this was not the case for him during his younger days.
And the things that he cherishes the most during Christmas are the handmade items given to him. Laker said he will cherish anything that can remind him of the person, citing the Christmas cards his kids give him every year.
For French child caring Virlanie Foundation Founder and President Dominique Lemay, Christmas should be spent with the poor.
Lemay told me of an instance they had at the now closed Manila Reception and Action Center some four years ago when they went to bring food and drinks. He said the place was dark but there were 600 people cramped inside. Suddenly, an old woman started singing a Christmas carol.
Lemay said they regularly go there before, with someone dressed as Santa Klaus to bring loot bags and Christmas cheers. He was correct in explaining that we should always be there for the less fortunate, especially during this time of the year.
I do not know about you guys but if you started counting all your blessings and see your family around you, there is so much love to go around for everyone.
This may sound like a cliché but look at what Sofitel has been doing. For the past four years, it has been donating funding for the Virlanie Foundation to sustain its operations. This year, from its half-marathon event, it gave P750,000 to the foundation for its various programs.
Established in 1992, Virlanie provides care for children in need of special protection, those who are among the poorest of the poor, the abandoned, abused, exploited, neglected and orphaned.
I first met Lemay in April this year, and he is one of the most down-to-earth people you would ever find. He is also a very hard worker. They do a lot of good work with the programs they have.
And as Laker would say—Christmas is all about giving. It is about celebrating with families, friends and children.
On hand during the turnover of the donation was the Virlanie Children’s Choir, which earlier in the year performed in several European countries. It is always a joy to watch these kids perform. They might not be best group of singers out there but they do sing from the heart.
Anyway, if you still do not have your Christmas and New Year celebration planned, try considering spending it in Sofitel. They have a wide assortment of room and dining packages, and treats being offered.
They have literally transformed the hotel into a storybook wonderland and will be holding a Midnight in Paris theme for its grand New Year celebration.
The Spiral, which as most of you know has 21 food stations, is one place not to be missed with its culinary offerings. Chef Denis and his team really outdid themselves this time. Here is a little secret. Spiral just celebrated its 10th year and has launched its first cookbook.
By the way, while you are in Sofitel, try to get a photo of yourself taken besides its Christmas tree. Hopefully, that will bring back the child in you. I know it did to me.
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For comments, suggestions and reactions, e-mail raalzona@yahoo.com.
Image credits: Rodel Alzona