’Tis the season – time to celebrate the past year, connect with friends and family, and reunite with people as many travel home for the holidays.
Earlier this year my youngest daughter, who is a fourth-year architecture student in the five-year masters program at Tulane University, took advantage of Tulane’s study abroad program at the Pantheon Institute in Rome, Italy. Our family has always been home for the holidays, so this is our first time to experience what it is like to have that anticipation of family coming home for Christmas. She will return home this month and we could not be more excited.
My wife and I had the opportunity to visit her in September but this is the longest stretch we have ever been away from her, or any of our children, and we are so glad to have her home. Skype and FaceTime are great communication tools, but a real hug is something technology can never replace.
So during this Christmas and holiday season, celebrate your year, gather with friends and family, and embrace those you love.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.
Todd Matherne
