A different kind of Christmas

There were no cuddles from Mom, kisses from Dad.
No last minute shopping for a distant relative.
No lights in the streets, no annoyance with the traffic.
No side jokes with a sister, no revisiting old family stories told every year over Christmas.
No setting the table, no cleaning Christmas tableware.
No bacalhau, no turkey left overs.
No SMS, no phone calls to friends.

We hugged each other to help ease the saudades.
We cooked traditional Portuguese desserts, and got our own Christmas tree.
We used new technology and video conference while opening the beautiful gifts lovingly sent over by post.
We witnessed the family dinner also online, and had a chance to say hi to everyone and wish them a Merry Christmas.

So we still were loved
In every postcard written with such care.
In the voices of our parents.
In the lines written through instant messaging.
In the video clips our friends made with their children.

Thank you. It was a good Christmas and we also love you all very much.