Happy Holidays from Milan! 💕

There’s something magical about the moments in life that make absolutely no sense. Right now, I’m sitting here in Milan, recovering from an 11-layer lasagna food coma. And yes, I’m gluten-intolerant. Yes, my body is going to hate me later. But when Italian comfort food is on the table, sensibility doesn’t stand a chance. Because sometimes, joy just wins.

Reuniting with My Non-Traditional Family

This holiday season, my beautifully mixed family is almost all here. Joining me are:

• My Taiwanese god dad/father figure, whose wisdom and warmth always ground me.
• My biological mom, with whom I’ve recently healed a once-fractured relationship (I’ve shared that story before).
• And via FaceTime, my Black mama, who took me in during high school and remains a vital anchor in my life.

Together, we form a patchwork quilt of love, culture, and chaos. In our little Milanese apartment, we’ve been speaking a blend of Mandarin, broken Italian, English, and the universal language of hand gestures. It’s messy, chaotic, and absolutely perfect.

The Joy of Doing Nothing

Outside, the streets of Milan are flooded with people. Not shoppers—every store is closed. These are people simply existing, walking with no particular destination, basking in the communal spirit of the city.

It’s such a stark contrast to the constant urgency many of us live with. The pressure to be somewhere, do something, or achieve something is nowhere to be found here. Instead, we’ve embraced:

• Eating food that defies all dietary restrictions (because joy > sensibility).
• Speaking in a symphony of languages.
• Taking leisurely walks without a single destination in mind.
• Napping in the middle of the day without setting alarms (yes, please!).

Why Imperfection Is Perfect

In a world obsessed with optimization, these moments feel like quiet rebellions. They make no logical sense, yet they hold so much meaning. Like my gluten-intolerant self indulging in pasta, or how my chosen family, scattered across different corners of the world, ended up on the same couch in Milan.

These moments remind me that life’s beauty lies in its messiness and unpredictability. They’re not about what “should” be; they’re about embracing what is.

A Thank You from the Heart

Speaking of beautiful, illogical moments: the fact that you’re reading this, perhaps even on Christmas Day just a few days ago, filled my heart with gratitude. In a world overwhelmed by notifications and endless inbox clutter, you chose to spend a piece of your time here then.

Thank you for being part of this community. Your stories, replies, and presence have enriched my year in ways that even homemade 11-layer lasagna can’t match (and that’s saying something).

Here’s to the Messy, Imperfect, and Magical Moments

As we step into a new year, let’s remember this: the best parts of life rarely follow a logical pattern or fit into a productivity spreadsheet. They’re the moments when we let go of expectations and embrace the chaos. When we prioritize joy, connection, and authenticity over perfection.

From my beautifully messy family to yours, happy holidays and cheers to a new year filled with moments that don’t have to make sense to be magical.

With love (and a very full stomach),

Gloria