As my family and friends can attest, I’m a gooey mess around the holidays. I’m emotional by nature and this time of year always brings out the sap in me. That Alex, my 26-year-old son, is in Peru and hiking his way up to Machu Picchu today and Anna Rose, my 21-year-old daughter, is spending Christmas in Maryland with her remarkable boyfriend’s family has left me a bit low. Neither will be home before New Year’s eve.

OK, I confess. I’ve been dragging a bit this holiday season.

A simple letter from a reader—the owner of 1996 Outerlimits sportboat above—is a treasured gift.

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But a letter I received this week from a reader via email yesterday turned me around. I’m ready to trim the tree, hang the lights and deck the halls, even though the halls did nothing to me.

Here’s the letter.

Read more: The Year’s Best Christmas Present

Related story: Commentary—How Paul Fiore Made Me A Better Father