Happiest of Holidays Filled With Joy, Peace, Love, & Connection

Growing up, I always looked forward to the winter holidays. For Thanksgiving, we would drive to my aunt’s house in the Philadelphia area. She would always have clementines and string cheese for appetizers as my uncle made his homemade mushroom soup that only the adults opted in for.

On Christmas Eve, we would meet up with my dad’s family at the WestMoreland Club where we would feast the night away. It was that dinner where I always wore my new holiday outfit. Then on Christmas day, my mom’s Italian family would come to our house where my mom would make a lavish meal. 

Each Christmas afternoon, I can remember that I did 2 things almost every year. I would fill up bags with things to give away, and I would take a nap by the tree. Looking back, this time of year really symbolized a process of me choosing simplicity and rest.

My younger brother was born on New Year’s Eve. We would have Prime Rib and Yorkshire Pudding and then prepare for our round-the-world buffet at midnight. We would make a dish from as many countries as we could.

I feel blessed that I was able to have so much joy and peace and love and connection then… and now.

As we journey into the magical season of togetherness and goodwill, I invite each and every one of you to embrace the beauty that resides within our hearts - the purest essence of peace, love, and connection. May these sentiments guide your path, not only during these festive moments, but throughout the forthcoming year.

As we prepare to welcome 2024 with open arms, let us harness this inner tranquility as our driving force, our compass navigating us toward joy, growth, and fulfillment. Here's to a year where we not only chase dreams, but live them.

Sending you all my love,

Ali