My family spent Christmas 1997 in New York. I recently found the letters that my then seven-year-old’s classmates wrote to him
The main conceptual idea of the text seems to be exploring the juxtaposition of holiday cheer and the harsh realities of life, specifically grief. The author uses their Christmas letters from 1997 as a way to illustrate this contrast. They highlight the family's unconventional Christmas in New York, describing their enjoyment of the holiday while simultaneously revealing the loss of their grandfather, which casts a somber shadow over the festive spirit. The title phrase, "I am going to tennis today," further emphasizes this juxtaposition - a seemingly mundane activity chosen as a way to cope with the emotional weight of grief. Ultimately, the text suggests that even amidst joy and celebration, life's challenges and losses remain, and finding a balance between acknowledging these realities and appreciating moments of happiness is a key part of navigating life.
