Happy Holidays from 18 Uncles

Life is a series of fleeting moments—I’m trying my best to be grateful and mindful

It’s impossible not to love December, even in the frigid North. While just about every day is gray and overcast and heart-breakingly short, with snow usually pouring down and blowing all over, and almost every morning spent shoveling snow, scraping ice off of windshields, and shivering in the car until the heat gets going, we’re still lucky to have our city streets strung with festive lights and to see the warm glow of a Christmas tree shining out of living rooms as we drive past. 

I recently returned from another chilly land, Switzerland, where I traveled with my Uncle Dave to visit my Uncle Bob. It was an amazing trip. 

I had to pinch myself as we cruised the mountains, wandered through Christmas markets, and sat for dinner with parts of the family that I rarely get to see. 

I never could’ve imagined I’d be sitting in a steaming outdoor pool in Europe, staring at the snow-capped imposing Alps with my father’s only two brothers—never ever. 

Yet, I’ve lived that moment, and I get to live this life.  

Waves of gratitude routinely wash over me when I think about where the 18 Uncles project has already taken me and the relationships with my uncles and all of my family that I’m fortunate enough to be rediscovering and developing. 

Waves of doubt and fear also routinely come rushing in when I think about all the work I have yet to do. There is no roadmap for what I’m embarking on, just a vision, my wonderful family, and all of you. When I sit and think about it, it’s an intimidating endeavor, and I have no clue how I’m going to get it all done, but I’m trying my best to take it one day at a time, one post at a time, and continue to put one foot in front of the other. 

But it’s already Christmas, and we’ll soon be charging into 2024. 

Life moves fast.