#38 A Christmas that changed me
On special Christmas memories, love, and gratitude.
2017 was the Christmas that changed me. At the time, I didn’t know it, but a few months down the line I was going to find out what had made it so special.
My grandma was the best grandma in the world, there’s no question about it.
It’s not wrong to say that, in many ways, she was my mother, and if I’m truly honest, I loved her more than I love my mum. She was the one who introduced me to books and the art of storytelling; she was my cheerleader, my best friend, my mentor, and my inspiration. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have been able to move abroad and do any of the things I am doing today.
She never told me that she’s proud of me or that she loves me – we don’t do this ‘name the feelings’ kind of stuff where I grew up – but I could always feel it. If the language of love is difficult to spell out, her special apple pie with a hint of cinnamon would do the trick. After all, love goes through the stomach and my grandma knew best.
**
As I’m writing this, I have tears streaming down my face. My grandmother passed away in 2018 when I was living in the US. I don’t usually have regrets in life, apart from this one: I wish I had had the chance to say goodbye to my grandma. I wish I had been there for her in the same way she was always there for me.
My last memory of her is at Christmas. I had just returned from London and had brought her a Christmas jumper with an imprint of Rudolph the reindeer. She loved that jumper so much she went to tell everyone in town that her granddaughter – the journalist – came home to visit her. I promised the following Christmas she would get a new Christmas jumper from the States. I didn’t get to fulfil my promise.
**
It is said that it takes a village to raise a child. To me, my grandma was the village. Ever since I remember being on this planet, my grandma was there for me to catch me if I fall. She was the one to tell me how to spread my wings.
Eventually, I did fly.
**
This little story is not meant to make you sad, but rather to reinforce what Christmas is all about: reflection, gratitude, and love.
So dear friends and Culture Worm readers – thank you. Thank you for being with me on this journey. Thank you for letting me be in your inbox every week on Fridays. It is a privilege to be read by you and be part of this ever-growing community.
I wish you all a wonderful Christmas, filled with fun and cheer. Please take the time to thank your loved ones for being in your life. We’ve all had a difficult year, but a little bit of kindness and gratitude can go a long way.
Sending a big, warm hug your way,
Teodora x
P.S: I know that not everyone will be able to spend Christmas with their friends and family, so if you’re one of these people and you’re feeling lonely in the coming hours and days, hit reply to this email or DM me on social media. I’ll be around and happy to have a chat. :)
❄️ This holiday season, why don’t you invite a friend, family member, or colleague to subscribe to The Culture Worm? A thoughtful gift to support my work and an occasion to share great content and food for thought! ❄️
📣 Coming up:
News on Joan Didion, Barack Obama’s favourite books of the year, and cancel culture. Plus, the end of Coldplay (dramatic!), a ‘lickable’ TV, and TikTok – the new Google?
See you next Friday …
🥁 📚 The latest in the literary world
Joan Didion, groundbreaking journalist and literary icon, died on December 23, at the age of 87. An incredibly sad day for literature… I remember my first encounter with Didion’s writing while browsing on the internet and stumbling upon this quote from “The White Album”: “We tell stories to ourselves in order to live.” ✨ A simple and necessary truth. The Guardian has put together a selection of Didion’s best quotes on writing, love, ageing, and fear. If you have time, please take a look at this explainer from Vox on what Joan Didion means to us. BONUS: The Proust Questionnaire with Didion from 2003 via Vanity Fair. Next year, I’ll make it a priority to read more of her work. “The Year of Magical Thinking” is considered one of the best nonfiction books of all time. Thank you, Joan, for teaching us about the power of words. Rest in peace. 😔
Nielsen Book conducted an industry-wide survey to explore the perception of various book awards across publishing, media, and the academic sectors. In case there were any doubts, the Booker remains the world’s most visible literary prize. [Hold on, does this mean the Booker beat the Pulitzer?!] 🏆
More research from Nielsen Book … The Christmas book sales figures have been revealed! 🙌 It turns out the fourth “Pinch of Nom” cookbook outsold Richard Osman’s second cosy crime novel, “The Man Who Died Twice,” by just over 1,000 copies. Whilst Osman may not have been crowned the winner, he can comfort himself with the fact that he is the only author to have two titles in this year’s Christmas Top 10: “The Thursday Murder Club” came in fourth, after “Guinness World Records 2022”.
Former US President Barack Obama shared his favourite books of 2021, so if you needed inspiration for your reading list, you should check this out. 📚 [My book picks could come in handy too! 👀] We know that Obama is a fellow culture worm, so no wonder his taste is eclectic. The 13 selected titles range from historical fiction to memoir and investigative nonfiction, and cover everything from race and family to poverty and immigration. Obama also shared his favourite music 🎶 and films 🎞️ of 2021, so that should keep you entertained for a while!
BONUS: What did the Dickens family eat for dinner? Catherine Dickens wrote it all down in a cookbook. Spoiler alert: it involves mutton, Italian cream, and mashed potatoes. 🍖 🥘
🎧 📰 👀 My media diet this week
Dear Daughter via BBC World Service | The winner of the 2021 BBC World Service International Podcast Competition, Namulanta Kombo, pitched a podcast idea based on her decision to start writing letters to her young daughter. 💌 Why listen to this? You will hear experiences, anecdotes and advice from across Africa and around the world, which listeners want to share with their daughters…Funny, heart-breaking, insightful, and ultimately honest. 🥺
Out to Lunch with Jay Rayner - guest: Jimmy Carr | 🍽️ Why listen to this? You’ll learn more about the comedian and writer Jimmy Carr from singing backing vocals for Ed Sheeran to getting called out for tax avoidance by David Cameron, and losing his virginity. 🤭 😶
Ostracised, disinvited, rescinded: what it’s like to get cancelled via Prospect Mag | Why read this? Prospect Mag spoke with three authors and academics who found themselves “cancelled” for things they have said or written. Read to learn more about their experiences. Perhaps it’s time to ask ourselves whether things have gone a bit too far… 😑
📌 Random news in brief
Coldplay will stop making new music in 2025, says the group’s lead singer Chris Martin. After 2025, the band will ‘only tour’. 🎵 🎤
A Japanese professor has developed a ‘lickable’ TV screen that can imitate food flavours in a bid to create a multi-sensory viewing experience. Forget poverty, world hunger, conflict or diseases. A ‘tasty TV’ is what we needed! 📺 😋
TikTok has surpassed Google as the most popular website this year. Well, that’s a bloody impressive achievement. 😵💫 😵
Before we say goodbye… 🥺
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Oh that was a beautiful story! I am so glad she helped you so much in life and that you can look back on the impact she left on you. Thank for working so hard all year long to write all these they are one of the highlights of my Fridays. Merry Christmas to you! Hope you have a lovely one! And Happy New year!!!