Holiday Greetings From My Family To Yours

Originally Published on Sunday December 28, 2008

As the holiday season continues, I wish for you and your family a joyous sense of peace and happiness throughout this Christmas Season and into the New Year.

During the holidays, I have enjoyed visiting the home of my oldest daughter and son in law here in West Hartford, Connecticut. Lorna and Jerome, have a beautiful 7 month- old daughter, Julianna Gwendolyn, who is enjoying her first Christmas. Becoming a grandmother has been something I treasure with the passing of each day.

Joining me in Connecticut has been my younger daughter, Michelle, who is quickly learning how to spoil her niece with toys and extra hugs. My niece DaVonne is now called “Auntie Cuz,” and is trying to find ways to smuggle little Julianna into her suitcase to take back to Boston.

Jerome’s mom, Vilma, traveled up to Connecticut by train from Philadelphia, and completed our goal to surround our grandchild with lots of love throughout the holiday season.

Even Godiva the cat received Christmas goodies from Aunt Michelle, who lovingly put his new bags of cat food and litter under the tree.

Phone calls, gifts, and well wishes came from Lorna and Michelle’s dad in Chicago, aunts, uncles, cousins, and godparents in Detroit, including Wilson, Debbie, Lauren, Macie, Nate, and Charles.

My family embraces the joys and sorrows of life, just like any other family. We’re concerned about the recession, while shouting hallelujah for President Elect Barack Obama. My son in law and daughter, Michelle are football fanatics and have screamed at the television set since the first kick off several days ago.

And boy, have we eaten a truckload of delicious, fattening food. Turkey, chicken, macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, collard greens, dressing, turkey soup, red velvet cake, salmon, omelets made to order, and brownies, golden vanilla ice cream. We’ve had it all. And yes, we will all start our diets as soon as the leftovers have been devoured.

The Christmas holiday season gives us time to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ, while we review our accomplishments and setbacks for the year. We share our celebration with our friends who celebrate Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, and Kwanzaa.

For some, 2008 is a year to remember. For others, it is a year to quickly forget. The uncertainty and opportunities of 2009 await us in the next few days. Whatever is ahead, I give thanks for the precious moments of the past few days and surrounding myself with my family. It has given me an opportunity to remember what is really important in life, despite the demands of my business, my goals, and my personal ambition.

Family is everything. Family makes life worth living. Family is the ultimate support network when you need strength from a higher power and the loved ones both near and far.

So for you, I wish you the best throughout the holiday season and into the New Year.

We’ll be back in a few days with news about out exciting line up for 2009, and the game plan we’re designing to help you succeed through the coming months.

In the meantime, sit back, relax a bit, and soak in your own family bond, from the blood relatives who have known you from birth, to the support network you now call your family.

Whatever the combination, I wish you the very best through the season and into the New Year.

Merry Christmas.
Happy Hanukkah
Happy Kwanzaa.
Happy New Year.

See you in 2009.