Holiday Update

It’s late December, and mid-way through the end-of-year celebrations (which are going great, by the way). I have a few minutes to provide you with a holiday update, and I hope my words will inspire you to see your own present circumstances in a new, more favorable light.   

This year, I’ve paid extra attention to the mental, physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing of others. That investment paid off. The highlights:

Someone was kind enough to gift me my very own Netflix subscription: a small but much appreciated gift. Now we can chat about our shared favorite new (or old) shows.

I am captivated by a show called Eureka (not on Netflix) – recommended by a five-year-old girl who is full of spirit. (She loved two women of color on the show: a medical doctor who is very smart and a sheriff deputy who is very brave.) When all else fails seeing the world through the eyes of a child – full of hope, curiosity, and great expectation – can remind us that we (you and I) are the light in a dark and often times cold and uncaring world. However, if we don’t activate and share our light those around us may never be kindled.

I ran, I ran, and – big surprise! – I ran! I am holding on to the things which fill me with hope.

Christmas Day was American-Brazilian-Italian themed.

I sort-of celebrated a socially distanced Chanukah with our Jewish family (they probably wouldn’t agree: of course, I made several missteps, however, I made every effort to not be so obviously out of the loop, and I sincerely appreciated being included by them in the Jewish celebrations, and they were touched that I cared enough about others to celebrate traditions not common to me).

Togetherness, love thy neighbor, humanity, sincerity, and philanthropy all shared center stage through all of our plans.

Not a single person among us boarded a plane, violated social distancing rules, or celebrated with anyone other than the immediate members of their household. We are having an AMAZING, well-organized holiday, because of the love and detailed planning which we incorporated by design, beginning in August 2020, to ensure that our loved ones have a memorable 2020 holiday season.

A unique female child made a special bond with a female doctor who has been patient enough to assure her (several times) by video call that she didn’t catch Rabies or COVID from a baby who drooled on her (she was also assured several times that her belly button was not a sign of chicken pox). The doctor prescribed several bedtime stories and a warm glass of milk (and answered many non-medical questions about fanciful conditions that only a child could imagine).

Rockefeller the owl was a favorite topic among the children, and the girls decided that Rockefeller is definitely a girl dad – because they love him so much.

Packages were sent (some by relatives, friends, and colleagues never met in person).

Packages were received.

Cards were sent.

Cards were received.

Traditions were made.

Traditions were kept.

There’s so much more to share. However, I don’t you to miss a moment of your holiday season.
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My admonition to you all: Cherish one another. Love your neighbor. It’s the way to a happy ending.
 
Happy Holidays!
Theresa Giovanna