Last night, I had the great pleasure of going out with a group of friends to celebrate the holidays. It was nothing ridiculous, just a group of nine guys and gals meeting for dinner at a local restaurant, each armed with a bottle of wine and rapier wit. It’s a tradition for this somewhat random group of friends to meet every year in December, and as we gathered in the private room we so appropriately (and thankfully for the other patrons of the restaurant) occupied, I couldn’t help but smile at the understanding that this is what it’s all about.

This year has not been stellar for most, and certainly the conversation echoed that sentiment. Stories of friends with hardships, colleagues lost and families torn and tested all made an appearance; how could such groundbreaking items be omitted when gathering to reflect upon the year passed?

But among the tragic tales that have become all too familiar and commonplace these days was something else, something fantastic and wonderfully special. It was a realization that everything is okay: we were all alive, relatively healthy and managing to survive. No one was destitute, on death’s door or truly, awfully struggling to survive (again, survive, not live by a standard perhaps previously considered necessary by most).

We all took a break from the harsh reality of the world in our small, delicately lit dining room that night, and took that opportunity to appreciate the things that we clearly did have to be thankful for: memories of trips to Canada before the kids came along, stupid bets made at last year’s gathering only to find that the answer was indeterminable and a new bet must be made, fantasies of super hot celebrities, dreams of owning an island and creating your own currency and, of course, having fabulous bottles of wine to taste, discuss and share with great company.

Basically, what was fantastically and painfully evident, at least to me, was that I should be thankful for all of the good times I’ve had and will continue to have throughout the rest of my life. Memories will forever remain, and they are more precious than any tangible item. I cherish moments shared with family, with friends, and with this extraordinary group of people. And I’m looking forward to next year already.

It’s easy to take a good hard look in the mirror and reflect upon your good fortunes during the holidays; the key is to remember to be thankful all year round. This year, this holiday season, tonight… share something special with those you love and create the memories that will last you a lifetime.

Me?… I’m going to open up a 1997 Brunello di Montalcino that I bought when I was still in college and enjoy it with my honey. How about you? What will you do now that will last forever?

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