It's Christmas Eve in the Philippines and I cannot help but feel homesick. I miss my family. I miss the cold air of a winter day in Washington. I miss the aroma of my mother's cooking and the sound of her Christmas carols on the piano. I miss the sight of my father building up a fire in our living room, while listening to one of his favorite jazz albums. I miss watching movies with my brother while we snack on Christmas cookies in our pajamas. I hold these memories so dear to me as I spend my first Christmas away from home. I guess this day was bound to come sometime.
The good news is that here in Cebu I have many wonderful people around me to share the holidays with and I know that I am loved. I was able to attend a Christmas party at the Good Shepherd Recovery Center where the girls performed in a Nativity play. I was also able to exchange gifts with the staff and all the girls at the Good Shepherd Welcome House. Thanks to donations from the nurses of Everett Providence Pediatrics Unit we were able to give each girl a generous gift. I began the holidays with a trip to the beach with my host family and we will spend Christmas day together at the house, Sam another PCV close by will be joining us.
I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, cherish your loved ones.
