It’s a Wonderful Life

For over 20 years, my grandmother would arrive at every Thanksgiving dinner with a box of hand-painted ornaments, one each for my cousins and me. We’d all gather around the box, eager to see which parts of us she’d chosen to immortalize with her art, excited to show them off to our parents.

When we were younger, the ornaments featured paintings of our favorite toys or movie characters. But as we grew older, they turned into displays of our hobbies, talents and accomplishments.

I love having this collection of keepsakes. Not only are they beautiful, but they call to mind good memories — my first violin, my first byline, high school graduation, college graduation … the list goes on. Even seeing the familiar face of my once-favorite Bratz doll, Jade, makes me smile. Remember when life was simple and revolved around nothing more than toys, games and playing with friends?

Sometimes, it can be hard to remember all the good things that have happened in my life. On days that are particularly stressful or difficult, it can feel like nothing good has ever happened to me at all! Dramatic, I know. But it turns out I’m not alone in thinking this way.

Research suggests that humans tend to remember negative experiences over positive ones. What’s more, Stanford University psychology professor Laura Carstensen said that, in general, we also tend to notice the bad more than the good.

“Many psychologists think that this has evolutionary roots; that is, it’s more important for people, for survival, to notice the lion in the brush than it is to notice the beautiful flower that’s growing on the other side of the way,” she told The Washington Post.

How many sunsets have some of us ignored on the way home from work because we were annoyed with traffic? How many nights have we wasted ruminating over the bad instead of rejoicing in the good?

I’m so grateful that my grandmother used her talents to create something that, at least once a year, forces me to slow down and focus on the good rather than the bad. Thanks to her, I find myself staring at the tree every December, learning the same lesson George Bailey learned before me — that it really is a wonderful life.

My grandmother stopped making the ornaments several years ago due to her arthritis. Now, the only things she brings to Thanksgiving dinner are iced teas and pie (very delicious pie), but that’s more than enough for me. As much as I love the ornaments, I love her company more.

Besides, I have 20 years’ worth of baubles to unbox if I ever need a reminder of how beautiful my life is or how deeply I’m loved. And for that, I say, thank you, Grammy. I love you most.

This holiday season, I’m not just reflecting on the past, but also looking to the future, as this will be my last issue as the editor of Tallahassee Magazine. It’s been quite the year, and while I’m incredibly grateful for all the connections I’ve made within the company and the community, I’m excited for this next chapter of my life and look forward to all that awaits.

Thank you, Tallahassee, for your continued love, support and excitement for this magazine. We couldn’t do what we do without you.

So, from the Tallahassee Magazine family to yours — have a safe, blessed and joyous holiday season. May your days be merry and bright!

With love,

Sara Santora, Editor
ssantora@palmbeachmedia.com