Christmas Vibes
It seems that whenever I’m asked what my favourite childhood memory is, I don’t remember anything that happened before yesterday. There is one that’s making itself known in my head right now, but I don’t know if it’s necessarily my FAVOURITE memory.
At my old elementary school, we used to do a Jingle Bell Run around the playground. There was a steep hill climb and there was always an unspoken pride after pushing your little chicken legs up such an advanced hill, especially with snow on the ground.
The Jingle Bell “Run” was more of a Jingle Bell “Walk.” No one made the effort to run in snow pants. It was an excuse to hang out with your friends in a giant gang cluster. Not me. I walked in solitude. I confided in knowing that everyone was on the same path, reaching the same goal. Each student was given a bell tied to a ribbon. I loved the high frequency jingle sound it made and I loved the feeling of being permitted to shake it around with the same energy as a dog tearing up one of its toys. My favourite part of the walk was the Christmas music that played out of an old CD stereo. There was a gradual build in volume the closer you arrived to the beginning of the circle path, again and again and again.
Sometimes I would walk a little more briskly and catch up with one my friends or spark a conversation with one of my teachers. I had any conversation or story at my disposal.
One time, my Grandma, who lives in the area, surprised me and joined the walk. I held her hand an soaked in the Christmas spirit. Not to be too dramatic.
Christmas always was and always will be my favourite time of year. There is really no excuse to be sour.