Enjoying the beach in Clearwater, Florida for the holiday (via Instagram @happyblackwoman)
This week, I’ve been spending lots of quality time with family in Clearwater, Florida. It’s been too chilly to get in the water, but we’re still enjoying the beach! It’s funny because I actually don’t celebrate Christmas anymore and my family has started going way low-key for the holiday as well. I stopped buying and giving Christmas gifts back in 2010. No one said anything. Now, Mom says the gift is all of us being able to travel to Florida to be together.
Me and mom at my uncle’s friend’s Christmas party in FL
This year, it’s me, mom and her hubby, Grama, my uncle and his girlfriend, and six of my cousins, including my younger cousin Keith Thurman, Jr. My cousin Keith is a professional boxer and we were all so proud to see him win his second televised fight on HBO against Carlos Quintana last month! But he’s still just Junior to us – still the down-to-earth, family-oriented young man he’s always been. It’s pretty amazing how well he has handled his growing fame compared to other athletes his age.
My uncle Keith, Sr. (right) and my cousin Keith, Jr. the boxer (left)
Really, my whole family has become less focused on exchanging gifts for Christmas and more on spending quality time together for the holiday. Mom found a nice 2-bedroom condo on Airbnb to rent for a week right on the beach. It’s so much better than a hotel and it fits all of us! Even my normally-aloof cousin Mike took time to be present with everyone and hang out with all of us less-cool people in his life LOL.
Me and my cousin Mike, 18 going on 28, who knows every rap song ever made by the Gucci Man
My favorite photo by far though, is this one of me (right) and mom (left) loving up on Grams (the lovely lady in the middle). We were all just enjoying the beach at sunset when my uncle snapped this one of us!
Grama love: me, mom and Grams on the beach in Clearwater, FL
I haven’t eaten meat in over a year, so I was happy that Mom agreed to make more vegetarian dishes for dinner this year. Veggie stuffing, collard greens with no pork and Field Roast Celebration Roast! My uncle was kinda salty that there weren’t gonna be any giblets in his stuffing, though. I told him to just chop up some turkey and mix it in on his plate LOL. This was definitely one of the best meals of my year. All vegetarian, all delicious. And everybody was talking bad about the meatless side dishes, but they were the same ones grubbing on them when they were done! It was my first time trying the Celebration Roast (on left) and it was yummy. It’s really just a fancy vegetable loaf. Almost tasted like turkey!
All vegetarian, all delicious. Best meal of the year 
For me, one of the best things about the holiday season is that for a whole week out of the year, it’s perfectly acceptable to be stuffed, lazy and tipsy all day. This year, Mom’s got us all drinking different types of Moscato and we also cracked open a bottle of Crown Royal Maple. Along with a big plate of leftovers, I’m feeling pretty good right about now LOL.
Been enjoying my breakfasts on the patio by the beach in FL. Kinda cloudy and rainy here today though.
One thing I’ve noticed is that holidays with my family are much more relaxed now that I can release attachment to what they do and/or say. I accept them all as they are without internalizing anything, where before I would get irritated with certain people in close quarters easily. I don’t like everything that everyone does or says but I have learned how to connect around what we DO have in common: eating, drinking, games, movies, reminiscing over memories and FUN. I remember years in the past when we couldn’t have a nice holiday without folks getting into petty arguments. Now it’s all love. So grateful for the personal growth that’s happening in all of our lives.
Of course, things aren’t perfect, but they are GOOD. And that’s more than enough to be thankful for. Hope you’re having a fun, relaxing holiday with your family, however you celebrate!
Happy holidays from Florida! (earrings  by Miss T Design on Etsy
This week has reminded me to be thankful for all the good in my life. Yes, I can always strive for better. But at the same time, I can live in gratitude for what already is.
What are you most grateful for right now?
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“The Gucci Man” that made me laugh, it sounds like something my mom would say.
But I have to take a second to tell you how beautiful you look in that first pic on the beach, I’m not sure if its the beach or just cause you’re with family but you really look at home by the water, so peaceful and content, very awesome!
i have to say I am most grateful in 2012 for not second guessing myself into inaction for certain things, I get really worked up having to make decisions but everytime I just decided to let go, make a choice to do it and let myself experience the results instead of try and predict all the possible ones, I haven’t regretted it.
Thank you for sharing such a sweet compliment, Channing! I do love being near the water…even though I don’t swim LOL. It’s a gift to be able to let go, so glad you were able to give that to yourself last year.
Hello Rosetta,
I am thankful for the people who GOD has placed in my life. I am thankful for a husband who loves me and his family dearly. I am thankful for a husband who worships GOD and prays for his family daily. I am thankful for my kids who teaches me something new each day. I am grateful for my job, a warm and clean place to lay my head at night, and a reliable vehicle. I grateful that I’ve grown spiritually over the past twelve months. I am grateful that I have the support of my husband and kids during my journey through GRAD school. I am grateful for my health and strength!
I was just about to say those earrings are cute! I think I want to get away from the gift buying thing too but my mom won’t stop buying me stuff!
I like the shift from spending to quality time, it seems hard to go against the status quo, but not impossible.
Looks like you had a great holiday! I am grateful for the many awesome people God has blessed me with in my life.
Read my latest blog post…Christmas Surprises
Happy Holidays girl! It was a chill one for me but always fun! So good to see you rocking your earrings too and making it part of the festivities
hope the new year brings you even more joys!
Read my latest blog post…#32 Hair| My Staple Hair Products
Glad you’re enjoying your holiday! You’re glowing! For me, family, with a healthy dose of friends and fun, is everything. I’m grateful for the blessings of life and love.
Read my latest blog post…What I Want You to Do
I am so happy you are having a wonderful holiday! The older I get, the more I understand and appreciate the important things in life like spending time with my family. Enjoying the legacies we build as we weave our lives together is such a beautiful thing.
Getting a cheaper-than-expected ticket to go home. It was/is so necessary; needed a break from my residence & life for a bit.
Read my latest blog post…Happy holidays.
I am ever so grateful for knowing God, my family and my circle of friends. I wake up everyday and realized I am blessed. I have experienced so much growth in 2012 and I am excited about 2013. My mantra for 2013 is inspired by Alica Keys song “brand new me.” I love your site! It inspires me to dig deeper and really focus on me and following my dreams. Thank you! Happy Holidays. Love the post!