Why I Love the Holidays

I didn’t celebrate Christmas until I was eight years old. It wasn’t until I was that age that I celebrated with a family, a tree, and unwrapped gifts.

Arriving in the United States in December created a longstanding legacy for me — and every year it makes me incredibly grateful to be alive, to have a family, and to be loved.

Writing this reminds me of my gratitude, as I think back to the little child who used to wander the streets without a home, just his uncle to call family, and who lived in uncertainty.

I love the holidays. They remind me I am incredibly lucky. If we have a warm home on these cold days, regular hot meals in front of us and someone who tells us they love us — we are immensely lucky.

Related: Three Holiday Traditions for Families Everywhere

I’m a big believer in a gratitude practice. I’m also a big fan of families that create regular rituals to celebrate the holidays with one another — especially those that help us become grateful.

When I was adopted, my new parents welcomed me into their family in December.

I was a scrawny and scarred child who wanted to have a family more than anything.

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Ernie and Susan, my two new American parents, flew down to Medellin, Colombia, at a time that the largest cocaine kingpin reigned supreme in my country. They risked their lives to save me.

For two weeks they enjoyed Colombia with their new son. As we journeyed through the city, I began the new process of learning what it meant to have parents. At first, it wasn’t easy. I was not used to having someone watch out for me and tell me what to do. I fought it — yet they stayed strong.

The holidays remind me once again, even as an adult, that I have family, a warm home, and a regular income that keeps me off the streets — and that I am safe. Just that alone is an immense gift.

Related: The Best Holiday Traditions

When I see Christmas lights, I think: home. Safety. Peace. Celebration. Love. When I go Christmas shopping, I feel the deep sense of how lucky I am to have family, friends, and enough money to buy gifts. Just like the decorative lights that abound, I, too, am filled with the internal light of joy and gratitude.

A few years ago I spent the holidays away from home. I was on the beautiful island of Ubud, Bali. For digital nomads like myself who have the privilege to work and travel, Ubud is a paradise. It offers delicious food, excellent weather, and abundant wildlife with lush green fields. Despite all the beauty and extravagance, I felt a strange hole inside. Something was missing.

You might be more fortunate than you’ll ever know.

It wasn’t the same to be away from my parents, cousins, aunts, friends, and my dog. That year I realized more than ever why I love the holidays. I love Christmas because of family.

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The holidays are incredible because of the people, the family, and those I love. Not the gifts, not the money — none of that feels as fabulous without the people we love. For me, the holidays are about family and communing with those whose hearts are unified with mine.

If you get to spend the holidays with someone you love, have a warm home, and are reading this — you are incredibly lucky. You are more fortunate than you’ll ever know.

Luis Congdon helps entrepreneurs live their dreams. He travels the world most of the year but on occasion can be spotted in his earthen home on San Juan Island.