“If the only prayer you ever say is “Thank You,” that will be enough.”—Eckhart Tolle
After my dad passed away a week before Christmas my family on the east coast still decided to celebrate the annual holiday, if for no other reason but for my nieces and nephews. It was a good call. Watching them having fun helped ease our loss.
Prior to returning home Cecile and I accepted a dinner invitation by our daughter Michelle’s mother-in-law Kim and husband AL, to enjoy Christmas, Part 2 at their home since we weren't able to join them for Christmas Eve. Aside from Kyle and Michelle, Kyle’s brother Chip and Katie visiting from NYC, and our son Jason and Alex were present. Last but not least Kim and AL’s dog Bailey and Michelle and Kyle’s dog Decker kept us entertained throughout the evening.
We first gathered around the kitchen counter and enjoyed cocktails, and chicken and vegetable dumplings that AL prepared, along with Sriracha sauce and soy sauce.
For the main course we had Hot Pot, which Kim described in her invitation as resembling a "Chinese Fondue,” with thinly cut pieces of filet mignon, sliced halibut, morsels of fish, tofu, noodles and vegetables cooked at the table accompanied with a variety of dipping sauces. We also had soup broth with Bok Choy and Chinese see-through Vermicelli noodles. For dessert we had Kim’s signature assorted cookies that are to die for.
Hot pot is an unofficial Christmas tradition for many Asian families. There is no other communal dish that brings people together the way Hot Pot does. It’s focus is on cooking, sharing and eating together with closest friends and family. It was an ideal choice for a cold evening.
After dinner we gathered around the decorated, brightly lit Christmas tree that took our breath away. Kim is an absolute artist when it comes to decorating her home for the holidays—preparing weeks in advance. One has a sense that she is simply tapping into the excitement and passion she has for the holidays. It not only makes her happier, but it brings out the inner child in all of us. Experts say that decorating can definitely lift your mood by triggering an increase of dopamine, otherwise called the feel-good hormone. The bright lights, colors and magical ambiance in general increases these levels and boost one's well-being, and that is something to be grateful for.🙏🙏
