The space above us

Between the earth and the skies, somewhere near the clouds and just above the stars, there is a festive place, clad in lights, scented with the aroma of people who love one another. In this place, I get the feeling that we are writing an entirely new story, and can combine all the positive thoughts and good wishes that are slowly but surely taking us into a new year. It seems like yesterday, when we were anxious to welcome the year 2000 and kept thinking about whether technology would really fail, whether the Mayan prophecies would come true, and we would live to see an incredible shift, which we were perhaps even hoping for. And yet even the shift was calm and ordinary, just another proof that the world keeps turning even when we would like to pause it ‒ especially when we need some more time to organise our thoughts.

Photo and make-up Biljana Babic

Yesterday evening I went to a park that was full of lights and oh, so peaceful; the only thing accompanying my footsteps was nostalgic music. Bright windows told stories of families, of a baby in its mother’s arms and a Christmas tree peacefully glistening in the background. So serene and perfect, so truly beautiful and simple … when you get the feeling that you are in the right place at the right time and not a thing is missing, because you feel so good in your own skin. And even though the stars and the moon were hidden behind the fog that has decided to anchor itself here and it looks like it’s found a new home, it still seemed to me that somewhere above me, there is this magical space that has no need for words or explanations, but just is, so we can run to it when we need it.

Photo and make-up Biljana Babic

It seems to me that it’s the Christmas day in particular that requires us to think more deeply, to take a courageous look inside ourselves to persist and realise who is there for us; often, it’s the day we lift the veils of mystery that blur our view and forbid us to sense the fifty shades of grey during the year. That is why it is also the time, when we get the urge to cleanse and pay some more attention to choosing our friends or just the people who make our story whole. December has the magical power to open our eyes and impatiently demands of us to sense the deepest, most forgotten needs, and not disregard them. If during the year we are masters of slalom and we don’t take an interest in our feelings more than necessary, it becomes a completely different story, as if all of the bells went off inside our heads that chime, every time we do something against our will. And let’s face it, the chime is getting louder …

Photo and make-up Biljana Babic

When I draw the line as I do at the end of every year, I find that my diary could quickly be completely full of everything. And every year I wish for Rudolf, the red nosed reindeer, and Santa somewhere on the edge of the moon; perhaps it’s because Sofia and I leave carrots on the balcony, and this year we will leave some cinnamon cookies as well, just in case they get hungry. I dive into the world of my child’s imagination and admire her big eyes, still fearless and so innocent. I enjoy the fact that I am her world, and December is perfect for all of our small, big magic. Of course, I think of all of you as well, wherever you are, I think of your space somewhere above the stars and hope that it’s filled with fairy dust, covered with bows and glitter, full of laughter and wishes that will soon come true. And I silently wish that this is the day you’re able to stop and think about everything we have, all the good things that are yet to come, and conjure up more Christmas days throughout the year. Because our lives are actually magic, if only you’re able to see it for what it is.

Photo and make-up Biljana Babic

Merry Christmas, my dears, from the heart.