hOW BEAUTIFUL…
Growing up, I was gifted with a group of incredible friends who came from all sorts of backgrounds from all around the world. With my parents divorce came change and we had to move across town where I landed at a new middle school at the age of 11 and joined the volleyball team where I would start making friendships that would continue to this day. True friendships know no bounds and if we are lucky, they inspire the fabric of our being, the safety and unconditional love we all need to thrive. These girls became my rock and to them I am forever grateful for being my solace in a home that was difficult to live in growing up. Recently, I was speaking with one of my eight girlfriends from childhood and we both shared how lucky we were and are to have one another and how we saw with our hearts and laughter and loved all the delicious food and culture we were being fed from one another… we have had amazing memories and now as we watch each of these women grow and some becoming mothers, we hope the kids in our circle have friendships like we did. We hope they see how incredible this life is and celebrate all the incredible cultures that we are so lucky to experience and learn from. And as I sometimes look in the mirror, I see a woman who is a reflection of the love I have had in my life and has been inspired by these eight girls who came from Mexico, Cambodia, Philippines, India and by my own Thai, Lao, Chinese and Native American from Coeur d’Alene, Scottish, French-Canadian heritage. How Beautiful and lucky we were to have found one another and to still have eachother 33 years and counting!
As the month of May comes to an end, we have so much to be thankful for. A month of celebrating AAPI & Mental Health Awareness, I hope that you’ve taken some time to listen to the stories of others whether in your community and perhaps sharing your own with the people around you. My hope is that the month of awareness inspires us all to live with more purpose and intention everyday of the year and we are open to learning and supporting everyone in their journey, meeting them where they are, creating a space for others to feel and to be heard.
We had the privilege of speaking with Chef Michael Santoro this month and Shreya Aggarwal, who both shared their journeys and spoke about mental health and AAPI Community on The Hotel Club Podcast. If you haven’t heard these episodes yet, please do when you have a moment.
How beautiful it is to be a part of world that is so incredibly diverse and having thoughtful conversations with the desire to make it a better place for everyone. Be the kindness you wish to have shine upon you and have the courage to live fiercely.
With Gratitude,
Kristy
