For Dr. Amani, the holidays mean gathering in the kitchen, each family member preparing a dish passed down from their elders. As they cook, stories flow about old family gatherings, lessons learned around the table, the people who came before.

“The smells and sounds bring me back to my roots and remind me that I’m part of something bigger than myself,” she shares. “No matter how chaotic life feels, these moments of shared laughter, memory, and gratitude help me slow down, stay present, and feel deeply anchored in my family’s legacy.”

It’s a beautiful illustration of how traditions don’t just connect us to the past. They anchor us in the present and guide us into the future.