Dear Father and Mother,

I can imagine how cozy it must be now in Michigan, and I wish I could have shared the season with you. I had a beautiful day starting with yoga, then a trip to the farmer’s market, where I had a half-hour conversation with a farmer famous for growing the best pomegranates ever. I bought his last 15 pomegranates; he was retiring and moving to a gorgeous country estate in Montana. He had made his wealth in business then started farming as a hobby, and made a killing doing that too! He was the wisest person I’ve ever met. He said that he has everything because he has his health.

I got sunburned on the way back with my moonroof down. I’m as white as mom.

When I got home, I started chatting with my neighbor for the first time, and he invited me into his place to meet his wife and 2 children — such a beautiful family, a Nepalese couple and their 2 kids. I gave them some pomegranates, and they fed me dinner. It was delicious.

And tonight I’m working the 10pm to 10am shift at the hospital. I couldn’t think of a better way to spend Christmas Eve, taking care of people. It was a day of adventures. I think I live the happiest and most interesting life.

I told them I was vegetarian (something I’ve recently started), and he looked so disappointed. He was like, I know about your religion. I joked that my religion is yoga, and he continued, I know about halal and I don’t eat pork either. It turns out we both make our own yoghurt, too! So I said what the heck, if it came from your hands it must be delicious. It was chicken, tofu and vegetables cooked in a spicy broth with curry. It was heavenly.

I ate every last piece of rice

Your Very Affectionate Son,

Omar