It’s 12:30 on Christmas morning, and I sit here folding paper cranes (current count: 54/1000) with heart and belly full of joy and tamales (tamale count: ?/5000).

Whatever Christmas means to you, enjoy it! Christmas for me so far has been:

• John Mulaney specials on Netflix
• An empty seat at the table for my wonderful tia
• Laughs and drinks and too much food with the family
• Celebrating the publishing deal I recently received for The Carver!

It occurs to me that we’re coming to the end of an incredible year full of big changes, great losses and momentous gains. Christmas is my favorite time to get together with family and really take that in together. I hope you have the chance to do the same.

Merry Christmas to all!