Merry Christmas, blog fam!!! I hope that Santa stopped by last night and that all of your Christmas wishes came true or are about to. They are, I can feel it! Since being back in New York I have been hit with random waves of OVERWHELMING gratitude. I am so thankful to be home, to have a space to call my own, to have my family close and the insurmountable feeling of trust that this was the right decision. I cried at yoga, at SoulCycle, at dinner last night...tears of JOY when I am gently reminded that I don't have to go back to Florida. The weight that I was carrying has lifted. I was trying to think of analogies of what purpose Florida served in my life, because it was a big one. The best I could think of was that it was like wearing braces. Florida being the braces, my life being the teeth. Stay with me. Even though I never had them growing up, I do know that they are there to correct, to help, to strengthen. Then, you outgrow them. Or, the mouth doesn't need them anymore. The teeth shift and change, however you're requested to wear a retainer. So now, in life I'll always wear my "retainer," at night, to remind me that the teeth (or my life) can go back to the way they were, if I forget it all together. It makes sense in my head, so I hope it does to you.
Either way, it feels FREEING. Which I hear is a way to describe the day braces are removed from the teeth. I do miss everyone though but, know that, I carry you with me in my heart, always.
Some things that immediately comforted me upon returning:
1) THICK Long island accents.
2) Dancing to 70s music with my grandma. I notice her short-term memory is not what it once was but, she can remember some of the best memories of her life, and to me, that's more important.
3) JUSTINE RE. My cousin. I was the only one for about 11 years, and then Justine was born! As we got older, we got closer and since I have no siblings she's like a sister to me. She is the best workout buddy, cousin, and friend a girl could ask for.
4) Last minute train rides.
5) Being only 3 hours from Sally Murphy and The Hot Yoga Spot.
6) Group texts with my girls from Naples.
7) Sweaters, boots, hats, scarves, anything winter FASHION.
Also, for those of you who completed Yuletide YouTime with Jaime and I, we salute you!! I hope that it eased some of the holiday tension, allowing you to enjoy this day even more! I have been up since 6:15a. I was in charge of picking up the pastries, cookies and bread this year. The bakery opened at 6:30a, and when I got there at 6:25a the line was already 12 deep. I LOVE LONG ISLAND. <3 Merry Christmas, everyone! Love you, LP.
