A Holiday Message from Larissa's Life...

It is Christmas today, and the great majority of the beautiful world we live in is celebrating it with full force. In my corner of the world we don't celebrate it and the lack of any Holiday Spirit feels like a hole in my chest.

I grew up in Brazil and even though I have always been Jewish, my mom and stepfather aren't. We had amazing Xmas Dinners, trees and presents every year and I miss that. I miss the giving spirit, I have always loved giving presents more than receiving and I miss going out and taking my time to choose something special.

It is so true you, sometimes, only notice how much you love something when you lose it. I loved this time of year. The parties and celebrations. Spending time with my step siblings and family I hadn't seen in a while. I miss all that. I miss New Years and how much fun it is to get dressed up and countdown to the start of something new, full of hope for better things.

Xmas here is cut down to parties in bars and clubs as is New Years, which we call "Sylvester". I will try and find a nice party for Sylvester at least, since it will fall on the weekend =)

As a holiday message to you all, my lovely readers, I translated a beautiful text my Mother sent to me via Facebook.

"The Question

Once, long ago I questioned a passer by:

- Why are there people that go through the biggest problems so easily, whilst others suffer for such small things, drowning in a glass of water?

He simply smiled and told me a story. It was the story of a man that lived his life full of love. When he passed away, they told him to go to Heaven. So, that's what he did.

At that time, Heaven hadn't gone through a "Total Quality Program". The reception wasn't working very well. A lady glanced at the files and since she didn't see his name on the day's list, she told him to go to Hell. In Hell, you know how it is: nobody asks for ID or an invitation, you just go in. The man entered and there he stayed.

A few days later, Lucifer shows up in Heaven to deal with San Peter: "You Bastard! I never though you would sink so low. That is terrorism!". Not understanding what was going on, San Peter asked, surprised, what was that about. Lucifer started to rant: "You sent that man to Hell and he is making the biggest mess. He listens to people, look them in the eyes, talk to them. Now, everyone is talking to one another, hugging, kissing. It's unbearable, it looks like Heaven. Peter, please, bring him here!"

When the passer by was over, he looked lovingly at me and said:

- Live is such a way that if, by mistake, you end up in Hell, Devil himself will bring you to Heaven. Do not let life's tribulations turn you bitter. There will always be crisis. You cannot choose with which to deal with, but you can choose how you confront them. And, in the end, when the problems are over, more than feeling proud for having dealt with them, you will be proud of yourself. Fill your days with love and everything around you will respond differently to you, because there is no one who will resist true love. Pay attention to people, give yourself, and all that many times seems impossible, will be much easier to achieve."

(Translation of "A pergunta" by Gilberto Wiesel - Original was in Portuguese)

A few messages:

"Mom, I love you dearly and I wish our plans had worked out and that right now we could have had been together. Three years is far too long and the fates have conspired to keep us apart, even as we live so close. I love you today and I will love you for the rest of times. Thank you for your love and care and for your constant support in my life. My mom, my friend, my first and most loyal follower of all."

"Flavio, The best Father anyone could ever want. My second father forever. I am so glad you and mom found each other and that you make each other happy. I love you for all that have always be to me and for the amazing person you are."

"Moischa, My best friend, my love, my husband in our hearts, my moischa my myth. Our love, our friendship is eternal and you know that nothing can ever keep us apart. a friendship born so unusually but nurtured with such care even through the distance. Every time we talk is as if no time has passed and that's because none has, our lifes are entwined and united forever. I know you are probably not going to read this until I call you through skype and point it out to you. But thats ok, the feeling is expressed and I know in my heart you will feel it in yours. I love you!"

"Sagi, we met a while back but this friendship we have constructed is so new and so strong already. I just can't imagine my life without you anymore. Thank you for listening to my craziness and thank for your constant support and care. You don't know how you met me, You don't know why, you cant turn around and say good-bye, All you know is when im with you I make you free and swim through your veins like a fish in the sea, I'm singing.... "

I have left so many people I love behind when I embarked onto Israel and I want to say to you all that I love you all and that time and distance will never change what I feel for you. Thank you for being part of my life!

Last, but not least... Thank you to all my followers for giving a chance to this little corner of the Blogiverse. I appreciate each and every single one of you!

Happy Holidays to you and your Families! I wish you a time full of Happiness and Joy!

Thank you for tuning in and I'll see you soon!

xoxo

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