The month of December was a blend of happiness, tragedy, grief, and celebration. Yes, these things belong together. Like peas nestled in a pod, they are closely bound. The beginning of December began with my grandmother passing away after moving to Texas from Florida, and just following her 80 th birthday. She always said she would make it to 80. Everyone flocked to her side, and although I missed saying goodbye to her by mere minutes, I was still able to see her one last time. She gave us the gift of healing together as a family, and we were as sad as we were relieved that she was no longer in pain. We spent a week healing, eating, laughing, and remembering the woman who made us. We shared a meal at one of my favorite restaurants, Trattoria Lisina . A dear family friend spoiled us with a homemade BBQ extravaganza complete with smoked ribs and brisket. My Aunt took us on a field trip to the mother of Whole Foods in the heart of Austin which turned in to an all da