First time I visited New York City was 1999 mid December. I stayed with my friends in Chelsea for three weeks. To tell the truth it was first time I saw a city to live of joy of Christmas. We don't have Christmas in my country, but we do celebrate new year like here. I must say I was mesmerized with Christmas ornaments, carols and the feeling of being in the middle celebration. I was staying with my Turkish friends so I didn't see any Christmas parties or any traditional christmas activities, but every where I went like shops, bars and museum had christmas ornaments, trees and lights.OH! Those lights!!! I was in LOVE with them! Even the smell of Christmas was different for me. I loved every thing about it. I thought NYC was a magical place to be.
Shortly after (like after two years) I decided to move to NYC. People who knew me had thought I was an insane person. I wasn't even speaking in English (Not even one word). I just wanted to live in NYC. I wanted to have Christmas(s) like the other gay boys have had. At the end I was a young gay boy who loved shinny, red and glittery things.
Now I'm thinking about those days. I must have been insane.Seriously!! I had so many problems to stay in NYC. It took so long to learn English. Right after I moved here tragic September 11 happened. There were no jobs at all. I didn't give up. It was very hard lesson but t made me grow up faster.
I must confess I loved Christmas but I have never gotten the real meaning of Christmas. Beside the religion aspect of Christmas this holiday felt so different than the holidays for me. Could it be gifts I got?--NO!
OR! Maybe! The reason was hot naked Santa(s) at gay bars!! Could it be???
All those years I thought I loved drinking, eating and trees with sparkly ornaments. But now I know those were not reasons why I love Xmas so much. Last year Xmas time something happened and made me realize why Christmas was so important to me.
October 2009 I started getting unbearable pains on my both arms. I was so concerned. There were constant tingling feeling and sharp pain on them. I was diagnosed with cubital tunnel which was similar to carpal tunnel. First doctor suggested immediate surgery on both arms. I got second opinion (THANK GOD!) He said I could try physical therapy. He gave me a therapist's name.
Her name was Ann. She was a lovely Jewish lady who talked none stop. I don't know if you have ever been at hand therapist office. They treat more than one patient at the same time. Like six or seven people sit around the same long table.
My appointments were 6.30 am. Yeah! It was the way early. That early I didn't even see my own mother forget about talkative jewish lady. Since I sat almost the same people three times a week on the table, they asked me so many questions about my personal life as well as Ann. OMG! It was like a nightmare. I didn't enjoy to talk about myself with strangers.
Strange enough! my Jewish therapist loved Christmas carols. (Just like me!) Even she had a little Christmas tree in the office.
That year I had to work on Christmas eve day so I didn't mind to make an appointment with Ann before work. When I got there at 6.30 am, they were all ready four people around the table. They were getting electro shocks. Yeah! That's one of treatments for cubital tunnel. Getting electro shock wasn't pleasant. I had to put my arms in a giant bowl with full of hot water. Before that , Ann sticked some kind pins in my arms to connect electro shock machine.(It sounds lovely doesn't it??)
I was very irritated not to mention I was so hungover as usual. We were listening Christmas carols. Ann was mumbling the lyrics of Rudolph the red nosed reindeer.
Suddenly she screamed!!!
"Hey! Guys! It is Christmas eve!!! Wake up! Aren't you happy?"
I whispered " Aren't you Jewish? Gosh!" I got a splitting headache suddenly.
She heard that "And!! Aren't grumpy? Mister!"
Oooppss! I blushed.
She said "Don't think! Christmas is only a religion thing. I see Christmas as a holiday unites us. US! Human beings!"
--HUH?--
She screamed again " RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED RED REINDEER HAD A SHINNY NOSE"
"Alright everybody! Let's get in holidays spirit!!! We sing this Xmas carol all together!!!!"
Hindu lady said "You are kidding?"
I thought "Finally!!! She lost it!!"
German guy said" I'm atheist!"
Ann got pissy "We will sing it"
Alright she had electro shock machine in her hand I had to make it work.
We all started singing. First! I started whispering shyly. Ann penetrated my eyes with her eyes.
I started singing loudly.Honestly! All of us started singing LOUDLY.
Our hands were in giant bowls. We were moving our bodies from left to right and right to left.
DAMN! We were singing our lungs out
-THEN FOGGY CHRISTMAS EVE
SANT CAME TO SAY
"RUDOLPH! WITH YOUR NOSE SO BRIGHT
WON'T YOU GUIDE MY SLEIGH TONIGHT!"
Here!! We were one Turkish gay guy, one Hindu girl. atheist German man, Korean old lady, Irish lesbian and Ann -jewish lady!
We were LOUD, JOYFUL and HAPPY.
I loved every minute of it. After that we sang Silver bells, Jingle bells, Holy night.... It went on and on.
I realized Christmas was NOT only for Christians. Christmas was for everyone. Christmas makes us merry, happy (gay) and united. That was very important.
And!!! Can you believe??? A lovely Jewish lady thought me this!!
Life is full of surprises!-Isn't it?!
