I was born and raised in West Seneca, NY – outside of Buffalo -- the rust belt and snow capital of the USA.

My holiday traditions for the week include borrowing my parents’ car to search for coffee shops with wireless internet access. My husband and I will sleep in the bedroom still decorated with a bit of my high school memorabilia. We will share 1.5 bathrooms (with 9 other members from the Caligiuri clan). I’ll eat several pounds of refined sugar and butter (disguised innocently as my mom’s delicious Christmas cookies) with no chance of seeing the gym.

I love my family dearly and enjoy being with them for the holidays. I have been blessed with a fun-loving, warm and loving family members who, unfortunately for me, happen to be physically-located on a geographic ice-cube. I guess one can’t have everything.

Yesterday, while out with two of my best friends from my grade school and high school days, Sue and Michelle, I was reminded why I would not want to be anywhere else for the holidays. In the time it took to drink a glass of Merlot, I felt lighter, happier and safe. They carried my load emotionally when I recounted a sad story to them. We laughed at something silly, a laughter that can only happen when you feel perfectly secure. I shared with them a far-reaching career dream -- an idea I was barely giving myself license to consider. Yesterday, propelled by the love of friends, that career dream seemed more reachable.

This is the gift of love I treasure – and one of the many reasons I am happy to be home for Christmas. I would not want to be anywhere else this week.

I wish you the love of family and friends at the holidays.

Happy holidays,

Paula