Decorating the tree. We have ornaments from friends and family that have passed, places we’ve travelled to or lived, ones our daughter made, ones I made when I was a kid, really old ones from my parents trees when they were kids, beautiful handmade ones from friends. As we unwrap them and put them on the tree I get to think about all those memories and people I love. That is the spirit of Christmas to me.

We actually decorated the tree last night and later as I was trying to sleep (thanks insomnia!) I was thinking about all the people that I love that I can’t see now. Either from distance or political reasons, or they’ve passed on. It was sad but I also felt so loved and lucky that I had/have them in my life. I so so so hope that the US gets its shit together, a lot of my heart is scattered around down there.