a note of gratitude!

Happy holidays!

It’s a beautiful but sometimes difficult season for many. I hope you are feeling warm and loved as you read these words.

I was thinking earlier today about the state of being in this world: international politics and everything –– common conversation topics in my family haha. Can you imagine what a better place this world will become if we all hold each other and cry together in public more often? The key is to feel less atomized, it seems.

My family will be going through a lot of shifts this coming year. The concept of family and root has always been so transient for me; as I’m sure, for many of you, too. To embrace the people we care about and to love them in ways we wish to are truly hard work. I still have everything to learn. At this present moment, I’m just thankful that we are all here, cooking and laughing together as the snow falls silently outside.

I once wrote a holiday card haiku for a few of my friends. I’d like to share it with all of you:

I hope you feel like
a belly: soft, round, centered,
and happy when full.

Currently loving:

• Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney –– this book is all about young people’s confusion with adulthood, love, friendship, and grasping conflicting social changes in this messy world

• More mulled wine (as pictured below)

• Telling jokes and being goofy with my family

Love love always,
Erica