Christmas and Beyond - Keeping Strong

 

ChristmasTea

Experiencing Christmas in the South of France was truly magical, especially visually. There were so many firsts for me. The narrow cobbled streets were lined with Christmas decorations and twinkling lights, while festive music drifted through the town’s public address system from morning until early evening. The two fresh seafood stalls in the town square were overflowing with trays of seafood platters, waiting to be picked up. An antique French carousel for children stood outside Renaldo's wine shop. Cafes and bars were buzzing with friends and family, the air filled with warmth and laughter. Church bells chimed, and a group of veteran Father Christmases rode down the main street on their vintage mopeds. I was told that the French celebrate Christmas Eve with a special dinner, so you could feel that shop owners were eager to close early to prepare for their own festivities.

It’s Christmas, and here I am, still in lockdown, far from home, in a foreign country where the language is unfamiliar, and I’m completely alone, navigating a major life change. Looking back, the entire covid experience was deeply traumatic for me as I struggled to fit in. Even though it’s been four years since, the emotions and challenges still feel so vivid. At that time, life became unbearably difficult, especially for those of us who weren’t vaccinated. President Macron made it clear that the restrictions were deliberately aimed at the unvaccinated. It was a period of heavy limitations, and the consequences for not having the proper documentation were severe. Not being allowed into cafes or restaurants while others enjoyed themselves inside, and not being unable to visit Christmas markets unless you had proof of vaccination, made me reflect on what life must have been like during WWII in Germany. It’s hard to truly understand social outcasting unless you've experienced it yourself.
That said, I managed to find my own ways to live freely, even as those around me were paralyzed by fear based propaganda. However, due to all the restrictions on travel I didn't see my daughter for nine months which was brutal. I will never forget those times as it showed me the true face of humanity. 
Over the next two years, tourists gradually returned, and the summer months became hot and lively once again. The village started to fill with festivals  again where locals donned elaborate costumes and brought Molière’s plays to life or danced in vibrant pagan celebrations. This is Templar country, a place steeped in rich history and culture that continues to breathe life into the village, keeping its spirit alive and thriving.