After a day full of cookie baking, gift wrapping and final holiday preparations, I took a break yesterday and turned on the Oprah Winfrey show.  It was her holiday show, which featured some duets from some  fabulous singers.  Alicia Keys and Tim McGraw sang a song together and afterwards talked with Oprah about their favorite holiday traditions and the best gift they have ever received.  And what hit me so hard was hearing Alicia Keys telling Oprah that the most important thing to her at Christmas was getting her entire family in one room together on that special day so that they could spend time together, talk, and just enjoy one another’s company.  And when asked what the best gift was that she had ever received, she said it was “Being Loved”.  Like everyone, it is so easy for me to get caught up in the holiday shopping and party preparations and cooking and baking and… the list goes on and on.  But really, the only thing that really matters is the love we share with our family and our friends.   Our biggest blessing!  And I tried to imagine what Christmas would be like on Christmas morning if no gifts were under the tree, and nothing was baking in the oven, and no Christmas music was playing in the background, and although it would seem very strange, I realized that although those things are wonderful and make Christmastime so warm and exciting, they are not what makes Christmas beautiful to me.  The beauty of my Christmas comes from the love of my family and friends.  And for that, I am forever grateful! 

So from our family to yours, we wish you much love on this Christmas day, and a very blessed, safe and peaceful New Year!