Celebrating Christmas, on a brief walk at San Diego's Municipal Park: A Wednesday Story...
When I decided to go to San Diego Municipal Park with my partner last Wednesday, November 29, I honestly wasn't too interested in anything.... That day was also my birthday, and although I'm not a grumpy or cantankerous person, that particular day I wasn't in the mood. I had just come from a long week, extensive errands and terrible stress. Mentally and physically I was at the most exhausted I had been all year. What I did not imagine was the surprise I was about to experience, in a wonderful night surrounded by one of my favorite people in the world: a caress to the soul.
As I have said before, I have not had the best of days these past few weeks. At work, I am swamped with obligations. The New Year's Eve closing is coming up, and patience seems to have left the building.... I have been swamped in paperwork, payment obligations, registrations and multiple invoices, which only make me even more obstinate than I already was... Believe me, it's not easy being in a job position that you don't really love too much but it helps you pay the debts you have month to month.
Now, having said the historical background of my discomfort, it is now time to develop the events that changed my perspective and taught me a lesson of kindness, love and surprise. My boyfriend could not be with me for the first part of the day. In that period I was with my parents, neighbors and my daughter. We got together and they decided to tell me about the birthday with a cake. Then, my boyfriend told me to pick me up and spend the rest of that Wednesday, my birthday, with me.
He had planned to take me to the San Diego Municipal Park. There, for the past week, they have had an exhibition for children with a light show, allegorical figures for children, a musical theme and a huge Christmas tree almost 20 meters high. It is a tourist attraction par excellence in the region where I live. Last year we had already gone with my daughter, and the three of us had a great time. This time, it was just the two of us.
My boyfriend, with extreme patience and a lot of love, attention and detail, wanted to take me away from the day to day atmosphere. Where routine consumes the hours of my days, with no respite. This time, it was all about me. Walking and enjoying the lights and decorations of the place. Feeling the cool autumn breeze, holding hands and stopping to taste the many options of cakes, hot coffee and above all, sweets that made my life so much more full and pleasant.
And the fact is that, those who are parents, in one way or another, at some point have come to neglect themselves. Making the due attention that we (also) should have for ourselves, take a back seat. The result of this action is a feeling of apathy, little creativity and little or no enjoyment of pleasure that sooner or later embitters our existence. Do not misunderstand me. I don't regret my role as a mother or my responsibilities but if you neglect yourself, you will pay for it sooner or later. It doesn't matter what sex you are. If you are a parent and you neglect yourself, it's the worst thing you can do to yourself; and you should know that....
As you can see in the pictures, I celebrated Christmas with the person I love the most. I was infected with the happiness I saw in the faces of the children who were amazed to see their heroes greeting them. The lights and synchronicity made the show hypnotic, almost dreamlike. I had never seen a Christmas tree so gigantic and so well decorated. Epic music, lights that moved in perfect synchrony as if it were a "living being". Food, love, company, visual pleasure, distraction, attentions and above all the detail of the person who loves me most; making me happy despite the odds.