The Present

BONUS DEDICATION

Bonus Dedication

This book is dedicated to all people, of all ages, with glimmers of Christmas Spirit in their hearts all year round.

The world holds a lot of bad—heartbreak, anger, disappointment, cruelty—and sometimes it can feel discouraging because people can suck. HOWEVER, the world is also full of TONS of good—love, compassion, triumph, kindness, hope—and people can be awesome!

I think it may be easy to let the first half of the preceding paragraph make you cynical, but all around the world there are people who lean into the latter and choose to live in the glow of optimism. People who choose to be their best selves, treat others well, and strive to make the world an increasingly merry and bright place.

This book is for you! Thank you for spreading joy, wonder, and goodwill toward humankind every month of the year, not just in tune with a holiday. Thank you for letting your lights shine bright even in the darkest of times like lanterns in the winter night. And thank you for bringing your own kind of magic into the world!