Despite the pandemic, despite the distanciation orders, I decided to make this a memorable day for me and my son.
Despite the rain, we went skiing. It was pouring rain and we had so much fun! When the rain started, everybody left…except us and it felt like we had the mountain just for ourselves. My son characterized the day with one word: epic. I was so proud that despite the rain, we smiled, we laughed and we chose to be happy together by doing something we love.
I came home around 5:30 pm, tidied things up, poured myself a glass of wine and prepared our first Christmas dinner by candlelights, just for the two of us… We shared simple food that we both love. When he left the table, Liam said “Thank you Dad for a beautiful day and a great dinner… I hope one day I can cook like you”. These words of gratitude and admiration made my eyes watery and my heart filled with a deep emotion for this kid who came from me and who slowly is becoming an expression of my love.
Liam is now playing quietly while I am slowly cleaning up the kitchen and sipping another glass of red. He would’ve helped me as he usually does but I told him “Go play, it’s Christmas and I am happy to do this for you tonight”.
When I am done, we’ll open our gifts by the fireplace and that will be our memorable first and hopefully last pandemic Christmas together, one-on-one.
Thank you my friends for being here. I wish I could all hold you in my arms and convince you that we will be OK.
I hope that, despite everything that is happening, your evening is filled with love and gratitude.
Enjoy this special, unique quiet time with your families.
Martin Pham Dinh 