How Christmas Came Back Into My Life

In the years after my first husband passed away it was difficult for me to get into the Christmas spirit. All that changed when my husband came into our lives. Here is a brief memory of the Christmases we have had together. To me, Christmas, and all of it's joy, was reignited in my heart when we met and subsequently married.

Christmas 1996

This is the first Christmas I spent with my Stitch just before our wedding in my little townhouse apartment. One day I returned home from work to find that the house was beautifully decorated. It was so lovely and I was touched by his enthusiasm for the holiday and his thoughtfulness. Surprisingly to both of us, we had carolers visit our house, a very rare occurrence here. This was truly an unforgettable moment of both surprise and joy!

Christmas 1997

Our second Christmas together, we had moved from my townhouse apartment into a detached house near my brother?s home in Cheras. My son, Nicholas was 8 years old and it was his second Christmas spent with his new dad. In those earlier years, with Nicholas only eight years old, Dad and son would put a glass of milk and a cookie on the coffee table in the living hall for Santa. We would send Nicholas to bed early on Christmas eve. Stitch and I would quietly fill up his Christmas sock and lay all the Christmas presents under the tree after we were sure he was asleep. I was always the one who took a bite of the cookie so that when Nicholas found them the next morning, he would be convinced that Santa had came and gone.

Christmas 1998

I'll never forget that Stitch bought me a lovely matched set of ruby earrings and a ring on this Christmas. The first gift he ever gave me were heart shaped ruby earrings, but I had lost one of them (I was so heart broken). So he chose this Christmas to surprise me with a beautiful replacement pair. It was so thoughtful of him that it remains a strong Christmas memory in my heart.

Christmas 1999

Nicholas spoke to his uncle Donnie, who resides in Tulsa Oklahoma, for the first time. It was a big surprise for him and his first impression of suddenly having family in the United States. We had lots of fun and laughter on this Christmas because Stitch introduced us to the game of charades. It was the first time for many of us to play. I laughed so hard that my stomach hurt. Oh.. and this was also the first Christmas that we stopped putting a glass of milk and a cookie on the table for Santa. By this time, Nicholas understood that if "Santa" wanted a cookie, he could go to the kitchen and bake a pan full. As Stitch remarked, "they grow too fast, too soon".

Christmas 2000

This Christmas I finally convinced my mum to wear a Santa hat. We had a wonderful Christmas with friends and family but sadly, this was the last Christmas my late brother-in-law, Eric spent with us. He passed away of a heart attack one month after Christmas Day. I miss him so very much. He was a wonderful , enthusiastic man, and our Christmas celebrations were always laced with his booming voice and laughter. Like Stitch, he loved to cook and was always in our kitchen or his, making up something good to eat.

Christmas 2001

This was the first Christmas without Eric and Stitch threw himself into our celebration with a fervor. He cooked a huge dinner for everyone, and he made sure that all of us had several mystery packages under the tree. We bought Nicholas a new desktop computer and he was like a "pig in mud" when he saw that. Nick has had a computer since then and like his Dad, is in an I.T. related business today. He also uses his computer for his music compositions, which has become an integral part of his life.

Christmas 2002

Nick got a toy guitar from Dad, but with it came a note, which instructed him to go to his Dad?s study. In the next photo, you can see his expression when he spots the real guitar, while still clutching the toy. It was Nick?s first guitar and we used to tease him that if he became famous one day, this guitar will be worth lots of money. Today, in addition to his nascent career in web based advertising, Nick is a singer songwriter with a popular local band, and has had several roles in local productions of plays, musicals and local movie. In fact, he wrote and performed the score to a modern dance performance, that was critically acclaimed. While Malaysia doesn't offer the same opportunity in the arts that larger countries do, Nick's music will always be a part of him and he has made us both very proud.

Christmas 2003

My given Chinese name is U Lian and in Chinese script, ?U? means friend and ?Lian? means lotus. In my Dad?s family, all the girls have to have the middle name ?Lian? and my Dad gave me my first name as ?U? (friend) because he wished that I would have lots of friends in my life. This Christmas, Stitch bought me a beautiful crystal lotus candle stand because of the symbolism and the connection to my name. He also bought a Chinese scroll of Panda bears for Mum because he knows mum loves panda bears. Stitch never fails to surprise us every year with thoughtful gifts.

Christmas 2004

Stitch specially prepared a lunch for me and my dance class mates and retired to his study after saying hello to the ladies. He did not want to be the thorn among the roses. They all enjoyed the lunch and we felt like kids again. I am sure you can see in the photos that we had so much fun. From then on, I was teased each time I hosted a party for my girlfriends. Stitch said he was glad the roof was still there after each of our gatherings.

Christmas 2005

This was the first year we had a maid with us and her name is Lidia. She is from Indonesia and she came from a very poor Christian family. She said it was the first Christmas that she received any gifts. It was a delight to see her eyes light up. It was also Popo?s (grandma in Cantonese) first year receiving a big gift from her grandson. Nick bought Popo a new portable CD player with the money he earned from being a part-time waiter at a restaurant. Popo was so happy because the CD player we had bought her years before was out of order. Popo loves to listen to Chinese opera and sing along in the kitchen while she cooks.

Christmas 2006

Popo was so surprised to receive a Christmas gift all the way from the U.S. sent to her by her step-grandaughter, Erin. It was a beautiful pair of star-shape earrings. Every Christmas, Stitch is the chief cook for the Christmas meal and the roast turkey has become a big hit in our family. I was so busy that I never thought of taking a picture of him in the kitchen but this Christmas I finally caught him on camera.

Christmas 2007

Looks like there are more and more gifts under the tree each year because the family is growing. The kids are now young adults, with their special friends, husbands, and fiances. I love this family picture we took with my brother?s family. Nick was missing because he had a performance on Christmas day.

Christmas 2008

My Ruby?s first Christmas with us and she gets a Christmas gift, a stuffed toy hamburger. This is a memorable Christmas for my son and all my nephews and nieces because each of them got an iPod from Stitch! He calls it his first "no brainer" Christmas.

Christmas 2009

We had a rather toned down Christmas last year because I was not feeling well. In fact I had fever on Christmas day but still I enjoyed my time being with my family. See the Christmas sock my hubby is holding? That was hand made by my late mother-in-law. Isn't that amazing that my hubby kept it until today and is still using it? I managed to buy some really cool Big Dog T-shirts for my hubby because we went back to the U.S. for a big family reunion that September. Oh, and a really cool gift I received from hubby were a pair of bobble-head dolls of Stitch and Krystle..LOL!

If I could have one wish it would be that the spirit of Christmas be in everyone's heart throughout the year. Today I decorated the house and tonight we watched a Christmas special that Stitch had bought in the states. It was a collection of highlights from the years of Andy William's (remember Moon River?) family Christmas specials that ran annually in the U.S. during the 60s and 70s. His shows were so upbeat about Christmas and family gathering together that I couldn't help but feel a little buzz of excitement for the approaching holiday. I wish each of you a very Happy Christmas from our house to yours.



Merry Christmas and A Wonderful New Year with Lots of LOVE!