TAYLOR TALK
PRESENCE IS THE PRESENT
by Taylor Moxey
December is one of the most exciting months on the calendar. The store windows are lit up and decorated, music fills the air, and the excitement of the big guy in the red suit bringing you exactly what you asked for leaves us all pumped. But the past two years has been tough on so many families around the world. Whether it’s the loss of a family member, losing a job, or so many other things. To some, it’s not such a happy time. In our house, while the gifts are awesome to see under the tree, we always remind each other that our PRESENCE IS THE PRESENT, which means enjoy the gifts but enjoy each other even more. And if this year has taught us anything, it’s that life itself is all about family and we’re BIG on this.
As this holiday season gets closer, I want us to enjoy the gifts and embrace the traditions of our family. For me it’s all about decorating the tree with my mom and dad. I enjoy stringing the lights and climbing on my dad’s back to install the final decoration at the top of the tree. We have been doing this since I was five years old. Although it’s 10 years later and I’m much taller and able to reach the top of the tree, I still enjoy climbing on my dad’s back to put the star on the top of the tree—it’s a beautiful thing. I want to encourage everyone reading this to enjoy all the holidays, gifts, and everything that’s in the box, but don’t forget to embrace the traditions. They will last longer. Below is a photo of my parents and me in our pajamas after decorating the tree. Every year this means so much more to me.
As my final column for the year, I wanted to take this time to thank the entire team at Story Monsters Ink magazine for giving me this platform, which I see as a gift to share my voice with all of their readers. I will start a new tradition here by ending my December with this quote. “Let’s keep talking.”
15-year-old Taylor Moxey is an entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, pre-professional dancer, and the founder of the Taylor Moxey Foundation.