A quiet note, on Christmas Day with love and gratitude

Howdy,

If you are reading this today, thank you for being here.

Christmas Day and the holiday season has a way of slowing everything down. Fewer emails. Less noise. A little more room to feel what is actually present.

I wanted to dedicate this note to Jesse. My boyfriend in Australia. I lived in Melbourne for five years. Jesse was someone I thought I’d build a future with.

There isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t think of him. Sometimes it’s loud. Sometimes it’s quiet. Sometimes it’s just a fleeting moment where something reminds me of him and I pause, even if only for a second.

Loss has a strange way of sharpening what matters. It softens some edges and hardens others. It teaches you to pay attention. To people. To moments. To the way time actually feels when you stop rushing through it.

Jesse just didn’t wake up one day, at 29.

I no longer take waking up for granted. I try my best to ensure those around me don’t feel like I take them for granted.

There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t think of Jesse. His kindness. His love for me. His vulnerability. His genuine openness with me.

(Also, I have been thinking for months if I should reach out to his mom. I am not sure. If you are a mother, or a parent, and think I should, LMK)

This past year reminded me again that the most meaningful things in life are rarely loud or flashy. They are built slowly. Through presence. Through care. Through putting oneself out there and being vulnerable.

I moved to Austin not that long ago, knowing no one. I didn’t think much of it as I’ve lived in 8 countries, 9 cities across 4 continents in my adult life. (If you want me to write more on this, LMK as well)

Trusting that good people and good conversations would find their way in. I knew Austin would be the spot as some of my fav podcasters all moved here. If you got my last email, you know my Austin-podcaster-bingo-card.

And they did. Through all the events, coffee shops, long talks, the volunteering I do (check the last newsletter too plz) and now my new BJJ gym, 10th Planet ATX through Red Rocks.

Anyway, Christmas and holiday season, some of you are spending today surrounded by family.
Some of you are with friends who feel like family.
Some of you might be on your own. All of it counts. (Ps. Casa de Luz, the OG location, is open all till 9PM)

Wherever you are today, I hope you give yourself permission to just be.

If you feel down, PLEASE reach out to someone. Holidays can be tough for everyone.

Thank you for being part of this chapter of my life. Truly.

Wishing you a loving and warm Christmas Day.

Other than my 5 years in Australia, I have not had the opportunity to wear dresses for xmas. It is truly a warm Christmas…

With love,

— Alice in Austin

Join over 4 million Americans who start their day with 1440 – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, we cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Our concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed.

Sign up today!