The year was 1999. During the holiday season, I was living with my mom, my younger brother, and my youngest sister in an apartment we had just shortly moved into. Back then, the only necessities we had, were basic cable, and AOL dial up Internet. We did not have Twitter, Instagram, or any other social media at the time, and YouTube was just in its infancy (240p video on 56k dialup, good times). Instead, we had face to face interaction, with large numbers of family members coming over. Pictures back then were taken mostly on Kodak One Time Use cameras, though I knew a few people in my family who had the money to afford more modern digital cameras as they were becoming popular in the market.

In the middle of December, Christmas vacation just started for me, as I had then started high school earlier in the fall season. I still remember hanging the lit garland around the living room, and figuring out how to make it light up at the same time with the tree via a foot operated switch. The entertainment center had a small, winter village scene on top that would light up as well, with small stockings that hung below the TV. The kitchen's regular stash of potholders, and hand towels were replaced with those of snowy holiday scenes, and the small clock radio that sat on the counter had a station playing Christmas music.

Saturday, December 25th, 1999

It was still early in the morning, when my brother and I woke up, the sun hadn't risen, though the sky was lit up enough. Our sister was still asleep at the time. We snuck quietly down stairs to the living room, where we saw our mother still sleeping on the couch. Being in a small 2-bedroom apartment, where me and my brother shared one room, and my sister had her own room, we had to be quiet as we made our way to the stockings. Looking under the tree, my brother and I noticed a large gift that was for both of us. I can recall the moment after my brother picked up his stocking, the bottom of it ripped open, dumping a large amount of candy, and gift cards onto the floor, waking my mother up. I, of course, started laughing. After a round of coffee, and hot cocoa, my sister woke up finally, and we all received gifts of CDs, headphones, and an overabundance of dress pants, and shirts (Remember that disappointing feeling, where most, if not all, the gifts were just cloths?). Me, and my brother finally reached the large gift all the way in the back. Upon opening it, we were both filled with joy when we unwrapped a brand new Nintendo 64. Our mother then reached under the couch, and pulled out a few smaller gifts, which turned out to be various games, such as GoldenEye 007, Mario Party, Super Smash Bros, Starfox (Do a barrel roll!), and Super Mario 64.

As the day went on, we did the typical house hopping, where it was more eating, and gift opening, as well as spending time with the family. And towards the end, we headed back home, and settled down for the night, where me and my brother talked about the futuristic possibilities of the year 2000, and beyond.

The holidays back then were more fun, simple, and more meaningful. It held a true feeling of excitement, and joy being around those we loved, and the good times we shared.

Saturday, December 19th, 2020

As I sit here now in my grandmother's house, I can't help but picture that large white tree she had up 21 years ago, where due to many stressful reasons, there is no tree there now. There is no Christmas music playing, nor is there any holiday specials playing on TV. The decorations are still packed in the basement, and neither of us have the ambition to go down, and grab them. This year, Christmas to me, and my grandmother is just another day. And due to my father's addictive smoking habits, and depression, it will be much worse. I will do my best to keep my spirits high, and look forward to a better holiday season next year.

So, from me, to all my friends, and followers here on FA, or where ever you may be, please have a safe, and wonderful holiday season.

That's about it for now.

Take care all.