The holidays

First off, I hate having my picture taken. I will say it again, I absolutely hate having my picture taken.

The attached photo was my Christmas card last year. Each year I bribe my two adult kids to take a photo for my holiday card and last year it never materialized. And thus, cocktails with Santa was born, which is apropos since there were cocktails involved when I agreed to do it.

I received several phone calls and compliments after sending out my holiday card. But each call was similar in words of encouragement from my girlfriends, who saw it as empowering. They spoke about how as women, we can often feel marginalized. Our world is primarily made up of our children, our

partner, and our grandchildren with a sprinkling of aging parents, careers, commutes, and dirty dishes. You get the picture (pun intended).

This picture was done on a whim with little thought involved. I did enjoy my daughter’s phone call in

which she stated, “not sure how you can top that, perhaps next year you will include circus animals.”

But as I begin to decorate this year for Christmas (simple holiday decorating tips) I got a special joy out of finding the picture in one of my holiday totes. It is now more than a simple picture. It is a testament to getting out of my comfort zone. It gives me faith that I am not too old to change. It shows me that I still have an imagination and most of all that I can laugh.

I cannot end this blog without a special shout out to the photographer, Cindy Ko Photography. I truly

could not have done it without her. She is amazing and her information can be found at Cindy Ko Photography.