Throughout my life, I have been surrounded by music. Many of my family members are musically inclined, and it has always been a strong point of connection for us, particularly during the holiday season.

Last year around the holidays, I was struggling with a painful blocked ear and impaired hearing. At the same time, I was battling a lot of stress because of a highly demanding holiday travel schedule, including canceled flights that made it impossible to see many of my immediate family members.

I felt congested and overwhelmed. This hearing impairment was particularly upsetting, as I was not able to sing correctly. Not being able to express myself musically made me feel even more disconnected from the family that I was not able to spend the holidays with.