Felices Fiestas...

time to celebrate, time to hope...

It’s been quite a year…and yet here we are, thrivers, strivers or just plain survivors still miraculously together on this tiny blue dot that circles the star that keeps it and all of us alive in this seemingly limitless universe. It makes me wonder…and it gives me hope. Christmas, Chanuka, Kwanza, and the completion of our calendar year all give us opportunity to both awaken and celebrate. I suppose it comes with the territory of getting older (much older!) but I find myself more full of wonder than ever. It’s like I live in a process where like in an NFL Game, there are many moments that demand “further review”. And nearly every time I do that, something that I had previously taken for granted seems almost miraculous when I see it more deeply.

All of us have stories that “upon further review” both tell a factual narrative of soemthing that happened to us, like when you met your significant other, or your biggest career success or failure and yet as we probe deeper, reveal so much more going on, not only in those moments, but perhaps for years before and after. Things that required us to put the business of our lives on pause and allow ourselves to be attentive and aware and then allow us to reflect. Some might call these moments of grace…moments where a greater truth about life’s meaning very briefly shines through.

This year we will celebrate our 5th Christmas in Madrid together with most of our family. One daugther and her family which includes our precious little granddaughter now 18 months old, will be in New England with her husband’s families. We’re very confident that they will continue to happily overwhelm us with pics and videos of her and them as they too celebrate…and they along with those here with us, give us so much to be thankful for.

Regardless of your faith or lack of one, this holiday season gives an opportunity to not only be grateful but to put that gratitude into action, perhaps by giving a gift to a friend, family member or maybe a complete stranger. As I get older, I find that the satisfaction I derive from giving, outshines the joy I experience when receiving. An old and wise friend, now departed but never forgotten, taught me that the difference between “a thing” and “a gift” is quite simply the presence of the giver. That presence transforms an object or experience into something more meaningful, as what is given is the presence and intention of the person who has provided it . I hope that each of you feel those loving presences deeply as you pause, take stock and celebrate the joy you feel of being alive… and aware of the magic that is not only revealed this Holiday Season but is available to us every time we allow ourselves to be fully present.

And speaking of presents…here’s a small one, taken from our archive, from us to you.

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanuka, Happy Holidays etc…..!