{'Tis the Season of Magic}

When Clash was born four (and a half he would like you to know) years ago a family relative got in touch with me whom I hadn't seen since I was roughly four years old. Honestly, I did not remember much about him. He was in family photos so I could never tell if I remembered him holding me at my grandparents' pool or if it was the pictures. He was a wonderful friend to my parents and was married to my Aunt and they were my godparents.

I was so happy to hear from him and sad I had not tried to get in touch with him sooner, but I had moved around the country most of my life and never lived near him except for a brief stint in high school where we may or may not have unknowingly run into each other at a restaurant.


He was so loving and had fun stories to tell me about hanging out with my parents when they were basically kids. Not only that, I was surprised to find out, he was one of my mother in law's best friends in high school and they both remembered the silly song they made up and used to sing. Small world. He was just easy to talk to. You know the friend you meet at a park and you feel like you have known them your entire life? Quality over quantity; and this guy had it. I knew instantly why my parents chose him to be my godfather.


I was so fortunate that I finally had a chance to "meet" him again last summer when I took a trip with the family to New Hampshire. It was one of our typical trips to NH where we land and run from door to door trying to squeeze in visits with both our families. If there is a second left over we try to see some friends. Jimmy came over one morning to my parents' house for some coffee and met and held my kids. We sat on the porch, chatted and looked at some old photos my brother dug up in my grandparents' barn. Even though the visit was brief it was perfect. My family expanded.


Now every year around this time My godfather Jimmy sends my family in LA a fresh Christmas wreath from Maine and it's our first sign to kick off this magical season and it's fitting it comes from someone who reminded me what this season is all about; reconnecting with the ones who fill your heart and remembering quality over quantity. A chat over coffee with a loved one is better than anything you can wrap. No?