It is Christmas Eve today but the festive atmosphere is obviously missing. Christmas is supposed to be my favourite occasion but I feel so drained of emotions these couple of days – I don’t even know what’s going on sometimes. Maybe I’m just trying to run away from reality – even if it was just for a few short moments – I really need peace to sort out my thoughts and put things back into perspective.

I felt really bad inside me because when Uncle R lost his long-time battle to cancer in March, I asked my husband who would be next. It was Aunt M who succumbed to breast cancer in July – it happened all too sudden. And yet again I still asked the same question as though I predicted there would be more. When the doctor said grandma had pancreatic cancer in the final stage – I felt choked. She had no signs whatsoever. Merely tiredness which no one thought of much. And then suddenly her urine turned brown, her stools turned white and her skin turned yellow.

The thing that hit me the most was when there wasn’t a solution to treat the problem. It wasn’t like when we caught the flu bug, all we needed was some medication to treat the cold and it would go away. For her condition, it was either going through excruciating chemotherapy to prolong her life for a few more months (not guaranteed) or just go home and wait for the day to come. Three months if she’s ‘lucky’. Who would ever imagine ‘luck’ would entail such considerable consequence?

This Christmas, I wish for nothing more but immense strength for the family and that Grandma wouldn’t have to suffer too much for her remaining days.

This dish could not be more apt. The red and green colours of Christmas.

It’s a really simple recipe that’s also very quick to make. The sweetness of the watermelon cuts that sharpness and saltiness of the feta cheese and the mint leaves just give an aromatic lift. A very refreshing salad to have. Enjoy.

Let’s not forget to show gratitude, respect and love to all our loved ones especially those whom we do not spend enough time with due to our busy lives and what not.

To all my readers and friends, have a blessed Christmas and be well.

Watermelon Feta Mint Salad Recipe

Ingredients (serves 2)
1/4 watermelon, cut into cubes
50g feta cheese, crumbled
large handful of mint leaves
juice from 1/2 lemon
salad leaves (optional)

Instruction
Toss all ingredients together (except salad leaves) and serve on salad leaves.

Note: You may wish to add extra virgin olive oil if you like.

Tags: christmas recipecookingeasy recipesfoodfruit salad recipehealthy recipeshome cookedhome cookinghomemadereciperecipessalad recipeswatermelon recipeswatermelon salad recipe