It
is an unspoken custom here in Nigeria that the Christmas and New Year season
spans from early December to early January.
Usually,
it begins with boredom and anxiety as regards when the holidays will officially
commence. Academic and Office work is usually at its lowest at this point.
Everyone’s head is on zap-out-of-formality mode. ‘Fresh’ and expected. The
Harmattan may or may not come- This year it was here for about two weeks in
Port Harcourt and dashed away.
The
next thing that follows is the official declaration in offices and schools that
the vacation has begun. Yippy! The excitement. The thrill. Nostalgia and
expectation clashing without minding. We now formally get into the holiday
preparation mode.
Ok,
at this point all roads leads to the ATM stands, open markets, malls, and
online shops. Everyone is getting new stuff…building up our stash for the
festivities. Mmmm, consequently, things get more expensive #law of demand and
supply…more money pursuing less goods…Kapow! Inflation.
Following
this, everyone hits the road and airways. While the urban areas get deserted, the
rural areas with their clubs and joints suddenly get action packed. Festivities either, at this point, kick off officially or get more intense. Some more
buying and selling take place. The women- and a few men- take the heat and
stress of the market place. Most the bank accounts gradually slip from bullish
to pink, and gradually headed for the red. Did I forget to mention that more
people either get married, pregnant or both during this season?
On
Christmas Day…Hmmmm. Oya commotion scatter. A good number of us sleep in,
commit to the kitchen, or go to church. But one thing we all share is that by
6:00pm heaven receives the souls of over 700 chickens, without counting hens
and chicks. Alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, flirting, adultery, sex…so many things
go down for the celebration of the birth of the New Born Prince of Peace.
Boxing
Day is usually a day of recreation and relaxation. All the major joints are hot
and crowded. But we still go anyway- who won carry last? 27th, 28th…we remember
to send out good will texts and emails. All is well… love you…Merry Christmas.
So much for Christmas. The season is still on.
By
30th, sanity gradually returns as alcohol and festivities lose their
hold on us. We get sober enough to look at our credit alert SMS on our phones
and do the math. While this happens, the second batch of ‘flexers’ who missed
out on the Christmas gyration head out to catch up with the New Year action.
The
last days of the year suddenly draw closer and everyone is running around to
make sure that their lives are in perfect shape for the New Year. Some people
get engaged, others break up. Some of us sanitize our phones- or temporarily
keep them ‘clean’. Some of us bear out our grievances to clear the air; begin
another relationship; confess our sins; return stolen items…. Simply we try to purge
ourselves of our ‘Christmas’ spirit so that we can face the New Year.
On
New Year’s Eve we all run to church to walk in to the Next Level with God.
Amazing. Guess what? God loves this. He loves that we come.
But
the funny aspect of this is that afterwards, I catch some of us seated in one
corner writing a rather long list of unrealistic New Year resolutions. 20...30...40
bullet points. The chances are that over 75% of this long list’s content are repetitions
of the previous year’s ‘New Year Resolutions.’ Abegi, I no go lie, me too I
follow for this crowd.
By 3rd
January, sanity and gist storms Nigerian classrooms, offices and markets. The
circle is complete. Nonetheless, it so happens that for a select few, nothing happened.
Nothing was added to our lives, nothing was taken away either. For some, all
was lost with the season. For some, reception was in leaps and bounds.
My
point is that, this season is a string of such magical and extra-ordinary
moments all laced together in the course of which absolutely anything can
happen.
For
2013, our holidays are almost over. But if you haven’t touched the Season’s flower
yet, you still have a few days left. Reach out to someone. Let yourself be
touched by the carols, gifts, company and warmth of the season.
For
me, one thing I enjoyed about this season is that I got so many hugs and added
some weight.
I am
sure there is something beautiful about the season for everyone. If there were not,
it would not drive us crazy year after year.
It
is still safe and politically correct to say ‘Merry Christmas’ and ‘Compliments
of the Season’. Hug someone soon, cheer and be happy. Christmas will not be
complete until you smile. Do not forget, primarily, Christmas is about love,
happiness and nothing more. So, I truly believe that a lot can still happen for
us in this season. You never know, perhaps the best is being saved for last.
So c’mon
get out there and have a Merry Christmas.
Happy
Holidays,
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