I have often in the past few years tried to avoid much Christmas celebration because it represents religious oppression. I have been shying away from Christmas joys because they remind me of the lovely experiences I had as a child with my family. And the fact that recently I have pulled away from my family made those joyous memories painful. But this year I lightened up a bit. I relaxed. I took a deep breath, and lo and behold, my family invited my girlfriend and I to Christmas. This is the first Christmas in a long time that I have felt joy and love and peace. I have bought presents, wrapped them, baked cookies, set up my childhood Nativity scene, and made new family memories in my house, remembering the childhood memories that were much more lavish and rooted in Christianity. My mom always made such a beautiful Christmas home, filled with a live tree, many ornaments, gifts, candles, cookies, trash (baked chex mix, nuts and spices), and music.

This year my little house has the music, a candle and cookies. And for the first time in a while I bought or made gifts for my family (encouraged by Vanessa who insisted I bring gifts to family Christmas). I have taken some of my mom's traditions and made them my own and am now allowing Christmas to continue. But the most exciting experience this season was seeing the holiday joy across the country, while on my book tour.

In Chicago there was a 40 foot tree and ice skating rink in the middle of downtown. We found a German Christmas market on our walk to the hostel and were filled with German Christmas spirit and hot cider and bratwurst. And the skyline of Chicago is overpowering, even without decorations, plus the chill in November reminds me of all the Christmas songs about snow and fires, way different from the Southern Christmas experience. Then in Provincetown, Massachussetts, we caught the lighting of the Lobster Cage Tree, which is an annual celebration of the town's tree made of lobster cages!

In New York City we saw the giant 60 foot tree in front of Rockefeller Center, the ice skating rink, and the lights on Saks 5th Avenue, plus the Macy's windows!

I caught the lighting of the Washington monument in Baltimore, and finally the palm trees covered in holiday lights in Miami, which in December was still 75 degrees Fahrenheit!

What made me smile about all of this was seeing all over the country that Americans are celebrating together, whether it be Christmas, or Chanukah, or just the winter season, we are together in this. And what a joyous feeling that is!

Find your Joy! Share the Joy! Be the Joy!