I cannot believe it. We are now in November and in roughly two weeks, the Christmas season here in the US will begin with Thanksgiving. It is really beginning to feel a lot like it with the cold air and low temperatures. For years when California had the drought, temperatures were high all throughout the fall and winter months. While people in the East Coast were suffering from the epic cold, we over here were sweating it out even on Christmas Day. I swear, I was to the point of calling our holidays as tropical as the ones in my native Philippines.

I actually love Christmas. Christmas is my most favorite season of the year. Unlike previous Christmases though, this year is not going to be as joyous for me. With my Dad's passing last February and with one less member in my immediate family, I have to admit, I am beginning to miss my loved ones a great deal. I cannot help but think of them every single day.

It is funny. When I was very young, I couldn't wait to get away to live my life far, far away. Leave I did and to Europe I went. Now that I have reached middle aged and have lived a lot, I cannot emphasize enough how important family is. I do need to count my blessings. I have been very blessed to be born in a loving and caring family. I cannot think of better parents than my own. I have wonderful memories to live by.