A Seeking Veritas Immigrant Christmas Story

Merry Christmas to you and your family

Once upon a time in the cozy rural town of Stouffville, there lived a family of Caribbean immigrants who had recently arrived in the Great White North. The Persauds originally from Guyana, were eager to experience their first Canadian Christmas. The family consisted of Vijay, Renuka and their three children, Lakshmi, Imran, and little Sanjay. Coming from a country where Christmas was often celebrated with hot temperatures, everyone was excited to embrace the true winter wonderland that awaited them.

As the holiday season approached, the family immersed themselves in Canadian traditions. They spent weekends at the local outdoor ice rink, learning to skate and twirl under the twinkling Christmas lights. The children, especially Sanjay, were fascinated by the idea of building a snowman, something they had only seen in movies.

The Persauds were welcomed by their neighbors, who invited them to join in the annual neighborhood Christmas potluck. Each family brought a dish representing their cultural background, creating a diverse feast that reflected the multicultural tapestry of Canada. Renuka proudly presented a dish of chicken curry, a recipe passed down through generations; and one which turned out to be quite a hit amongst the neighbours.

As Christmas Eve approached, the Persauds gathered around their fireplace, sipping hot cocoa and sharing stories. Vijay and Renuka told the children stories of Christmases when they were young back home in Guyana. On Christmas morning, they woke up to a world blanketed in snow. Excitement filled the air as they discovered stockings hanging by the fireplace, filled with small Canadian treats and trinkets. The children rushed to the window to catch a glimpse of Santa's sleigh tracks in the freshly fallen snow. The day unfolded with laughter, joy, and a sense of newfound belonging. The smell of a traditional Canadian turkey roast mingled with the smell of Renuka’s black cake filled the air as the family sat down for a festive fusion feast.

As the day came to a close, the everyone gathered to reflect on their first Canadian Christmas. Despite the miles that separated them from home, they felt a deep sense of belonging and gratitude for the welcoming community that had embraced them. And so, in the heart of Stouffville, under the glow of Christmas lights and surrounded by new friends, the Persauds celebrated a magical holiday season—a fusion of Guyanese charm and Canadian warmth, creating memories that would last a lifetime.

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Bio: Brian Sankarsingh is a Trinidadian-born Canadian immigrant who moved to Canada in the 1980s. He describes himself as an accidental poet, with a passion for advocacy and a penchant for prose, an unapologetic style, he offers his poetry as social and political commentary.