By Jan Vicente B. Pekas

The motivation at this point ought to be the holidays. Everyone is starting to get tired. And a lot like myself were already tired since last month. It already seems like most are running on fumes. Like anyone could collapse from exhaustion at any point.
At this moment, we have gone through enough of work and school that we need a taste of the holidays right now. Anything that is too much is unhealthy, and we have just gone through such for almost a year now. Something fun is just what we need. Something different from the routine.
A break is on the horizon for us students. Just a couple more days, and freedom returns. The same thing that shall drive away most of our stress and anxiety. And usher in a time of joy and all things positive.
It is interesting to look back at the different versions of ourselves that greeted Christmas. As a young kid, Christmas season was always a season of peak happiness. The long vacation that followed it always doubled the great joy I felt.
In college, I sometimes feel to tired to make the most of these short breaks. That even christmas has lost it’s grip in making me feel like a kid again. It’s a nostalgic feeling when the same songs are repeated over and over again. But I feel like I barely even hear these overused but memorable Christmas songs.
Life has just moved on. And we are changing along with it. It is strange to see all these differences happening in front. A lot can truly change in a single year. Though it is inevitable, it doesn’t make it easier to accept.
Christmas season may change for a lot of us. Some of those who usually seat by our side may not be there anymore. The heights of all the small children won’t be like they were last year. And even the topics of conversation around the table may change.
No more will the innocent questions asked by the adults to small kids be repeated. But the concerns of an adult to adult be debated.
Whatever the differences may be during Christmas, this time around, we must continue to appreciate the old things that remain. Whether it be the old faces that we see, the delicacies of our aunts and uncles, or even the young annoying children, as disruptive as they are, we can miss the occasional innocence when reality gets too dirty.
It won’t be long before all these will change once again. But when that comes, we can let it go with no regrets. And appreciate fully all that surrounds us next before they too will soon disappear.
Because while nothing is permanent, the feeling of joy and happiness can stick with us a bit longer, even when their source is long gone.
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