If you’d told me a year ago that I’d be celebrating Christmas in Texas, I wouldn’t have believed you. Back home, I used to say, “Christmas ma bida vayeni navayeni k vayo ra?” But now, experiencing it here, I feel like Santa might actually be real. I mean, who else is pulling off this holiday magic so well?
The day started with a rare moment of bliss—a good night’s sleep! Honestly, that felt like a Christmas miracle in itself. I woke up, got ready, and headed to my friend’s family’s house for the day. I was told it would be chaotic with lots of kids running around, but growing up in a brown family, chaos is practically my comfort zone. Sharing a room with my sibling until I was 16 had prepared me well for this kind of energy.
As soon as I arrived, though, I had a moment of panic. Why? Because I’m vegetarian. And there I was, surrounded by ham, barbecue, and all kinds of meat dishes. My friend’s stepmom asked me, “Do you like barbecue?” My friend quickly explained, “She’s vegetarian.” Her stepmom laughed and said, “Texas is a meat-eating state; what made you come here?” I replied, “I wish I knew.” That got everyone laughing, and thankfully, they had plenty of vegetarian options for me—mashed potatoes, rolls, and a casserole that saved the day.
Before we ate, we said a prayer, and I couldn’t help but think about Young Sheldon. The accents, the food, the whole vibe—it felt like I was living in a Southern family sitcom. It was fun, heartwarming, and a little surreal all at once.
Then there were the pets—two dogs and a kitten. The kitten was adorable, but one of the dogs stole the show. He had this incredible way of communicating with his eyes, like he genuinely understood what people were saying. It was the kind of moment that makes you pause and go, “Wow, animals are amazing.”
After the meal, we opened presents, which was so much fun. My friend’s dad got this game that involved hitting a ball attached to a headband. He was obsessed with it, and someone joked, “Isn’t that for autistic people?” It was hilarious, and his excitement was contagious.
Later, we played a screen-tapping game to see who could react the fastest. I started strong with a score of 205ms, feeling like a pro, until someone beat me with 198ms. Not one to back down, I tried again and got 189ms. Competitive? Me? Of course not- well, maybe just a little.
But the most memorable part of the day wasn’t the games or even the presents. It was dinner at Olive Garden with my friend’s parents. Sitting there, sharing a meal, and just being in their company reminded me of being out with my own family. For the first time in a while, I felt like I didn’t have to worry about anything. I wasn’t thinking about what to eat or what to do next—I just felt cared for. It was such a comforting, overwhelming feeling, and it made me realize how much I’ve missed having that parent-like presence in my life.
Now it’s 10:06 pm, and Santa’s probably double-checking his list. I better get to bed before I end up on the naughty list.
Merry Christmas, everyone! 🎄
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