Letter from the Editor - December 2024

Our first Christmas in Korea with our tiny tree while living in lodging on post.

Dear Readers,

Christmas is my favorite holiday. From the lights to the carols, to crafts and baked goods, it holds a special place in my heart. In the military community we know that the holiday season can be hard and coming together is the best way to support one other. This month I challenge you to make a deliberate effort to connect with your friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Send them an email, a text, or an invite to your gatherings. Your moment of kindness may come at the perfect time for someone who is struggling with being alone in Korea, maybe it is the first holiday without a loved one, or maybe adjusting has just been hard. Whatever the reason, know that a quick effort to reach out can drastically change someone’s day. 

Our first Christmas in Korea was in 2019 right before the pandemic. We were in lodging with a small silver Christmas tree with a Texas-shaped ornament we came to Korea within our carry-on, a little piece of home. The PX would have a Santa for our son to give his list to and we would start looking for our new home, praying to move into it before Christmas! Fortunately for us, we found a place before Christmas and had household goods delivered shortly after. Since then, that silver tree has been put up in various places in our house, along with a larger one. There is something special about that little tree that made a foreign country feel like home, even in a hotel! As military families, we are taught resiliency and flexibility through trial and error, but we always seem to come through for our loved ones when it matters most. 

This holiday season I pray that our readers find every day to be a blessing and not something they have to drudge through. But if you are feeling that way, please read our issue, there is support for you. This issue we aimed for holiday fun, but also content that supports a healthy mind and soul this winter. For those arriving in South Korea during December, welcome and I hope you enjoy Korea as much as our family has the last five years. 

Amid the holiday hustle, I hope you can find time for yourself and slow down to enjoy each moment. May your holidays be bright and shared with friends and family.