Magical Moments

In the house my great-grandma built, the world would gather.

Every December 24th between 1968 and 1976, people would parade through our home.

Aunts, uncles, and cousins I’d never met, plus a barrage of long-time family friends.

They would bring presents and their appetites.

My great-grandma served plate after plate of “Pollito de Navidad” (Christmas Chicken),

while we opened present after present and danced to the radiola.

A 5-foot tree stood in the corner of the living room, covered in tinsel and whatever color decor my mother chose that year.

Underneath, there were presents for everyone.

The neighbors, the family, our workers, and extra presents for unexpected guests.

The dining room table was beautifully decorated and had all the delicious little treats my mother brought back from the US.

Blue Diamond almonds.

Diamond of California mixed nuts with an entire set of nut-cracking tools that made people raise an eyebrow or two.

All sorts of candies and cookies.

And whatever they found tasty at El Cochinito (a modern supermarket) during the great sibling expedition.

The great sibling expedition consisted of my mother, my uncle, and my aunt going out shopping. Just the three of them.

They usually came back pissed because two siblings had ganged up on the third on some random topic.

One Christmas, Aunt Nena showed up with two presents for me.

I had no clue who Aunt Nena was, but man, did she have excellent taste in toys!

She bought me a playset of aluminum pots and pans and a set of dishes.

The pots and pans were so good, my great-grandma actually stole a couple that were “perfect for fried eggs.”

When midnight came, we all hugged.

We gave thanks for everything we had.

Neighbors would rush through, giving us their hugs.

All of my uncle’s friends would run down from their hangout corner, where they were setting off fireworks, to hug my uncle and the entire family.

There were about 20 total.

All loud.

All excited.

All very loving.

My complicated childhood forgotten in these truly magical moments!

I’m sure that as you read, you too remembered.

Tell me, what were your magical moments?