'I'll be back home for Christmas'

Peep through a window of the Mesquita house in Revora, Colvale, and something magical is going on.
Joana Mesquita checks her dining table, kitchen things and home decor many times, pushing a thing or two in place just because she wants everything to be perfect. "It's the birthday of our Lord, so I am very particular about the details. Everything has to be ready on time," says the 65-year-old of her Christmas preparations.Emphasizing "we do not buy sweets", she gushes, "I started making sweets along with my daughter-in-law on December 19, so that they stay fresh."
Son, Savio Mesquita, who lives and works in Panaji, adds, "This year I only managed to make the star, as work was really hectic. But, the crib and star at Revora are otherwise always made at home."
There's reason for the excitement in the Mesquita household. The quiet house which usually has Joana and her husband Leo walking in and out, is full of the noise and laughter of about 15 family members on Christmas day. "I will head home (Revora) with my wife and child straight after work on December 24, so that we can be with the whole family for dinner and then midnight mass," says Savio.
At Aquem in Margao, four-year-old Adrienne Clovis da Costa screams out, "I'm going to see my Avo and Avozinho! I'm very happy." The Clovis da Costas are busier than bees on Christmas eve as everyone has their share of work. The kids are busy decorating the tree, while Avo Luzinha, is getting supper sorted, and the adults are adorning the big tree in the living room. "Our nachni (millet seed) is all grown and we got some beach sand and starfish to complete our crib," says Adrienne's mother, Carol.
Having arrived from Pune a week ago, she smiles, "There's no better place than home for the holidays. The kids love it here and all the hustle and bustle makes us feel like children again." "Christmas is all about family and being together for us," she adds.
In Mormugao taluka's Bogmalo, Nello D'Cruz is on his toes as he's expecting "lots of special guests". Though he owns a hotel and a resort, his "Christmas at home is an even bigger one", he says, "with 40-50 guests".
Scratch a little at that and you realize it includes the guests that are staying at his resort during the season. "My guests are like family to me and we celebrate Christmas together," says D'Cruz.
Asked about his own family, he says, "My sister has come from Dubai and my (Scottish) wife's family has come from Glasgow to celebrate Christmas in Goa."
Meanwhile, further south, in the coastal village of Varca, Alice Leitao is aglow. She knows that on Christmas day her house will be full of voices and laughter as the whole Leitao jing bang head home with bells on.
"On Christmas day we are about 20-30 people enjoying Christmas lunch together," says the cheery granny of 13 children.
"I am very eager to see my children and grandchildren all together at Christmas. It's nice to talk and spend time together in this era when time is so precious and so hard to find," says her husband Lazaro, 91, sitting comfortably in his rocking chair. The grandparents, who celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary this year, add quietly, "Three of our children live abroad with their families and won't be with us this year." Breaking the mood almost instantly is two-year-old Eleanor Mascarenhas, the youngest of the Leitao's 13 grandchildren, who gushes, "I like to visit my granny and grandpa and tell them lots of stories." She's sure Christmas at her grandparents' home will be fun this year too.
Yes, four familes from four different neighbourhoods in the state showcase the real meaning of Christmas-being together as a family; giving, receiving and enjoying the bonding.