Christmas this year was filled with incredible moments of togetherness and healing. I started the season off decorating early because of a work trip. With work travel and a trip to New York on the first of January, my body and mind said, “Simple joys.” We decorated with our favorites and even purchased a new tree to do something different—a tree that was flocked with no decorations—just lights.

Work Trip to Advancing School Mental Health in Florida, I was thrilled to present with my supervisor and colleagues!

Vivian and Cody came to our family parties, and having Autumn with us brought healing and divine love. Kind, gracious, forgiving words were expressed in joyous, tender moments. The ones that time stands still and eyes connect.

Autumn’s two-year-old birthday party at Chuck-E-Cheese (and Spencer, Jr. was in heaven!)

Making mangers with the W.O.W. families.

I found out a friend is expecting a girl after having three boys, and another friend is having a baby girl in December! This is a beautiful Christmas gift! We love you Chelsea and Sam!

Making wreaths with friends–trying something new. Dinner, lunch, and new Christmas spots with adored friendships.

We created new memories like Lewis Ginter and Santa Brunch. We had the park to ourselves and played hide-and-seek while Grandma watched the children play.

We kept the grandchildren to make cookies, play outside, and swing. It was a pre-Christmas fun day with Gigi and Ace!

We had our traditional Jefferson Hotel dinner and explored Christmas decorations with my mom.

We took my mom to The Chamberlin in Hampton for Sunday Brunch and shopping. It was a walk down memory lane, as this was the very spot we vacationed as a family when I was a little girl.

Intentional. Spontaneous. Different.

Parish and I went to Carytown in Richmond and found a new restaurant, Botonya! What a magical evening anticipating Christmas!

What fun it was to spend Christmas Eve with family at the Godbeys’ home. We sang Christmas carols together, and I loved watching Autumn sing “Jingle Bells!” Thank you, Linda, for asking Parish to bring his guitar! There were crafts! There was yummy food!

Christmas morning, reading all about our trip to New York and taking pictures with props and t-shirts! I also loved giving my daughters my year-long project with Storyworth– a book of memories and family stories written throughout the year and published into a book.

Parish and I loved changing breakfast plans to lunch so all the families could eat and be present at 1:00! We cooked all the meat in the fridge and grilled hotdogs, hamburgers, and two steaks! I made yummy mashed potatoes, which were a big hit because the secret is adding sour cream. I also cleaned a pantry and found my Aunt Polly’s punch bowl! I cleaned it up and made a punch! We love you, Aunt Polly!

I know I’m listing things. However, I’m sharing how change can create a fresh new start. Be open to new traditions, adjust, and create a Christmas that brings you peace. You may get the pressure or the “why not,” but magic is made within each of us, and we have the ability to make things happen. Look within yourself and believe. Lastly, let it go, or, as the new phrase goes, “Let them.” There is so much freedom in not controlling outcomes or people. We can choose how we respond, when we detach with love, and how we feel pleasure, “To be sensual…is to respect and rejoice in the force of life, of life itself, and to be present in all that one does, from the effort of loving to the breaking of bread.” James Baldwin

Yes, there were times of hardship, illness, sadness, and family disagreements. Of course, there were these times. Healing is an act of communion.

Healing is not just a personal journey; it’s an act of communion. It is in the quiet conversations shared over cups of tea and pumpkin bread made by a friend, in the laughter that bursts forth unexpectedly during a family gathering, and in the gentle embraces that linger just a moment longer. We find strength in connecting with one another, in acknowledging the pain, and in celebrating the small victories along the way. So here’s to the moments of togetherness that weave us closer, reminding us that love is the thread that binds us even in the darkest times. Let us cherish those moments—because healing doesn’t just mend the soul; it fortifies the bonds that unite us all.

As a gift from Valentina, Laura Marshall met them and took a family picture for Mom! It was the perfect gift, Valentina!

I remember being in the kitchen cleaning up and my mom and Valentina talking with each other from the other room about how lovely Christmas was this year. Valentina shared how much she loved this blog and the captured memories, especially the pictures “done in slideshow form.”

Some of these pictures are old Christmas memories! I had to share those, too. Can you guess who Valentina dressed up as for a Christmas Party (hint: it’s a character from Elf)?