Page 43 - December 2020 Voices

Christmas, or the regular style wrapped in the balls (always great when you drop some on
corn husk, I asked for two. Eyebrows were raised the floor), or whatever tickles your fancy. You
but nothing said. What followed was this plate- and I can use the same cookie cutter—but we

sized banana leaf wrapped pound of masa and decorate it with what we want—and often they
meat—times two on a large dinner plate! I could are never the same again. That’s the way I look
barely finish one of them, let alone two. Great at Toastmasters and the Pathways Education
laughter and merriment at my expense rocked Program.

the house. Cultural lesson learned, noted, and You see, we have the same “cookie cutters” in
will be observed in the future. the guise of eleven paths we can select. Perhaps
This year, with my brother living once more you and I chose the same path. When we work
in Victoria, Canada, our family home sold in that path, we add our own likes, or our own

California, and the Covid-19 restrictions in place, “decorations and color,” to that path. That is
there is no visit to look forward to. I brought out what makes it unique and “our own.”
the Provencal Santons creche set, waiting by Since July, I have heard perhaps twenty-five
tradition to place Mary, Joseph, and the angel Ice Breaker speeches. Each one had its own flavor,

in their places the week of the Nativity, and distinct smell, and was decorated differently to
Jesus on the eve of Christmas in the manger. be recognized as exclusive to the presenter. The
Other decorations for the
door, the window, and

small Christmas tree are
up, along with pinecones
for atmosphere throughout
the living room.

I mentioned the cookie
cutters as being integral to
my Christmas memories.
When you use them to

press out your cookies,
they all look alike. It is only
when you take the time
to decorate them that the

“personality” or originality
comes out—whether using
sprinkles, colored gum
drops, my favorite silver

VOICES! | DECEMBER 2020 43