As has been our custom, Embry and I are celebrating Christmas with our two children, their spouses and our four grandchildren. We are at our son Andrew’s house in Maplewood NJ just  outside New York City. Jessica and Peter drove down yesterday from Portland, Maine, with Josie, now a senior in high school. Her brother, Jasper, arrived at Newark International Airport from Vancouver, Canada, where he is a sophomore at the University of British Columbia. Andrew and Karen’s daughter, Sadie, is now a junior in high school. Her brother, Parker, is a sophomore. Everyone arrived about the same time, around six in the evening, with lots of hugs and laughter. I could not help thinking how blessed we are. Everyone is healthy. Everyone is happy about where they are in their own lives. And the love they have for each other—and for us– is palpable. This afternoon we will visit our niece’s family in Princeton where there will be more hugs and more laughter. I know that this is not always the case for every family.

Thank you for following my blog. Writing it is therapy for me, and knowing that there are folks who read it means a great deal. So, here is wishing you a happy holiday season. Enjoy the moment. Next year could be a roller coaster.