Mahalang..homesick… is the perfect word to describe the feelings I get this time of year. I always get mahalang at least twice a year…around my birthday and now. I have been away from our beautiful island of Guam for over 14 years and although I may recognize this fact, I still can't believe it has been that long.

Almost nine years ago my husband Brian Pittelkow and I got married in Mangilao, after meeting and courting for three years in Colorado. We lived in Wisconsin, my husband's home state for over four years before moving down to Florida. We have now been in Florida for four years and since then have had a daughter. Kaitlin Diego Pittelkow is a beautiful chamorro mestiza. She has long dark hair and that round chamorro face, yet subtly resembles her German father. Kate will be three in 2 weeks and she knows all of her body parts in chamorro and she understands when I call her and ask her to do certain things in our native language. Our family thrives on "sticky" white rice and finadene, wears zories, and we grow Guam donne.

What Christmas means…...Christmas past was always a very joyous time growing up. Beginning with midnight mass at our village parish, Santa Teresita and then returning home to open up our presents. We grew up knowing about Santa Claus but the center of our celebration was the fact that it was Jesus' birthday. The holiday would not be complete if not for traveling down south to Inarajan where we celebrated with our extended families from both my Mom and Dad's side…needless to say the parties were crowded, fun and our bellies were filled with all the traditional chamorro food !!!

Christmas present…nothing could be more joyous than being with those you love..My husband Brian and my daughter Kaitlin and yet at the same time very hard. Hard to be so far away from the rest of my familia. In trying to keep some chamorro tradition in our family I am teaching Kate all about the miracle of Jesus birthday. We have a nativity set and I sing Chamorro Christmas songs (Dan dan, puenguen yuus, jungle bells, etc..).

The most important tradition we are trying to establish is that of love, family and celebration of all that is good. My roots taught me unconditional love and a strong spiritual faith rooted in people and familia…and this is what we want for Kate. Some day when she is grown we know that she too will have her own family and may be mahalang for me and Bri.…so when all is said and done, no matter where we are…when the gift shopping and wrapping is complete, the tree decorated and the lights put up…the most important thing that Christmas brings is the understanding that we are all part of the love, the family and the faith. And that near or far we can all share in the beauty of Christ's birth.

Feliz Navidad and May Your New Year be filled with Peace!