AS I write this, it is Christmas Eve. It made me reminiscent of my past Christmas Eves. It would be a day after my dear sister Joan’s birthday, and we would try to get as much sleep in the morning if there were no scheduled activities that day. We would be somewhere in the map exploring a new place as a family and taking our annual Christmas Eve family photo.
As with everybody else, I struggle with the thought of not physically spending the celebration with my whole family. After recent announcements on additional restrictions, with occurrences of Covid-19 following small group gatherings, we had to revise our original plans to stay safe.
The anxiety also extends to these last few days leading to 2021. In our personal lives, we deal with the uncertainties of the coming new year in our continuing fight against this disease, family income, job security, effectivity of learning with prolonged distance learning, and the like. On the business front, most 2021 plans involve how to survive to hopefully see a rise in revenues, manage expenses, and support the livelihood of our employees.
It made me think of the word “eve” in general. Oxford defines “eve” as “the day or period of time immediately before an event or occasion.” It is also “the evening or day before a religious festival.” I wanted to write a column about our “eves.” I wanted to take us through the “races” we have prepared for in life, then hopefully slide our emotions toward the spectrum of the good to come.
Remember your wedding day. Remember how happy you felt walking toward your future partner. Remember seeing your family and friends all wishing you well. Do you remember the day before that big day? What were you feeling? I remember so many thoughts running through my head. Aside from worrying about the event details, the days leading to my wedding were also days of questions. Will I be a good wife? Will I be able to raise a happy family despite my experiences in my immediate family? Then when you go back to the actual big day, remember all these thoughts suddenly disappearing because of the joy before you?
Fast forward to today, close to two decades later, I value that “eve.” I value the fears I felt because they made me prepare better. Even on days when life does not seem as bright, doesn’t just looking at your kids make you feel grateful for going through your “wedding eve”?
Remember the “eve” when you started your business. Remember the tough decision you needed to make between a steady income versus an unknown return. Then remember that big day of your office blessing or inauguration. Remember the feeling of happiness that you finally did it. You are finally building something on your own. Looking at it today may make all that history seem so far away, but it definitely makes us feel all the worry and stress were worth going through.
This eve of 2021 will no doubt be marked by mixed emotions. We all face different anxieties in our lives. We all will usher in 2021 with different levels of fear. I hope that for these remaining days of the year, we spend reflecting on our past and personal “eves.” They will remind us of the trepidations in our heart, but they should also remind us of the joy and strength that came after.
Thus, regardless of the fears we no doubt have for all that is to come, let’s relish the anticipation for 2021—and the days which will provide us with opportunities to further create a new life, a new us.
Happy Holidays, everyone.