Hard to believe it is once again the Holiday season. I have been sending this as my holiday card for 19 years. Aside from liking the sentiment, it does not lose its meaning for me…perhaps this year more than ever.

I wish all of you a Happy Hanukkah and a very Merry Christmas. Let there be love and happiness for each of us.

Today is the start of Hanukkah and Christmas is almost here. Are you still looking for last minute gifts to finish your list? Or is what-to-wear a bigger question for you right now?

Bloomingdale’s has a great selection of dressy items if you have a “big night” planned. Always fun to look at since most of us are more inclined to being in leisure outfits. But should you need something here are some ideas! Lots of sequins, feathers and faux fur. One of my favorite companies to follow is cinq a sept. They embellish jackets, tops and pants with beautiful brooches! Their price points are high. Look in your Jewelry boxes for brooches and place them on your jackets, tops and sweaters. Do multiples! It’s a great look.

For many people on your list sleepwear is, and always has been, a go-to holiday gift. Lounge socks are always a great gift too (look at Muk Luks on QVC). This is a reasonably priced gift and is always appreciated.

Gifts for special interests are always good choices too. There was a selection of martini accessories, games and teas.

Gifts of Beauty are always great gifts too. Most lines have a holiday gift box. Growing up Santa always brought the Estee Lauder box to me and I loved it.

Enjoy picking out the perfect gift for people on your list.

The decision has been made, and it was just announced. The color for 2026 is Cloud Dancer. Pantone says:

“With its expansive presence, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer invites a space where function and feeling intertwine to build atmospheres of serenity and spaciousness, providing a refuge of visual cleanliness that inspires well-being and lightness”.

I am so pleased with their choice. I think that we all need to feel serenity and what better way to start than in the colors we select to wear and look at each day! As a cloud watcher I even love to think about the color name and envision the feelings of peace one gets when looking up at the sky.

The Winter Olympics are almost here. For our athletes Ralph Lauren has chosen all white for the opening ceremonies. Synchronicity!!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a positive, meaningful impact on hundreds of people? Have you ever even known a person like this? I am fortunate enough to know a person who fits this description. And how fortunate am I to be one of the people whose life has been changed for the better.

I met Father Mike when my life was changing. I decided to return to my Catholic roots. I began to go to mass on a regular basis rather than just the holidays. Listening to Father Mike on Sundays added “something” to my week. I moved to another town and a few years later it was announced that he would be joining my parish. I was thrilled and told everyone “Wait until you see him Baptize a baby!!” Its like watching Lion King! Mike was 6’6″ and he would lift the newly Baptized baby up in the air! I’m sure it scared a few parents until they got used to seeing it!!

Tom and I met around this time and he would come to church with me. As a couple we became friendly with Father Mike. He married us. We would have dinner together regularly and he was so comforting as I went through the end-of-life chapters in my parents’ lives. Then Tom died at the beginning of the pandemic. Again, he got me through it. He met us at the cemetery where all we were able to do was say a prayer together. We were not even allowed in the mausoleum. The world as we knew it was closed. Father Mike checked on me regularly. Eventually the church reopened and Father Mike was there for all of us. He Baptized my 3 grandchildren on Tom’s birthday the year he died. He got me through some serious medical issues and when I healed, he did the Celebration of Life for Tom since we had not been able to have a funeral. He knew that I needed to find a new purpose in my life and he helped me to find my way. You can say with certainty that my life was changed by our friendship. We frequently went out to dinner and we would talk about everything.

Now, here comes the amazing part. If you were to talk to everyone at his funeral, you would hear the same kinds of stories over and over. How is it possible that one person can have enough time and enough insight to help so many people grow in their faith? How can one person make so many people feel that they are the most important person in the room and that their opinion matters?

Until knowing this man and experiencing our friendship I would not have thought that one person can have that kind of impact on so many people. I am so privileged to have had this man as my friend and spiritual advisor. For all he has done for so many people, may he Rest in Peace knowing the impact he had on all of us.