As we rush around preparing for the holiday festivities, I am reminded of those things that matter most; family, friends, health. Our alpaca venture began over 8 years ago when my mother suffered her first stroke. She and I were closer than any mother/daughter and the best of friends. We did everything together and were very involved in horses since I was 3 years old. We would trail ride together nearly every night of the week in the south jersey pines, and then take off on weekends showing horses all over the country. You see, Dancing Horse Farm existed long before we knew what an alpaca was. After her stroke, the family made a decision to retire her from her beloved full-time job, and we also came to the unanimous conclusion that she would not be able to ride anymore or fiddle around with the horses due to physical deficiencies from her stroke. The family was concerned that she would become very depressed with her new life, so I had to think fast. I needed to fill the horse gap with something that we could continue to do together, and also give her a reason to get up in the mornings, and so our journey with alpacas began. The alpacas were small enough and docile enough for her to handle and cute enough to get her hooked. My plan worked out great, and as the first alpacas arrived, we dreamed of breeding and showing, and opening up a store to sell alpaca garments and "stuff" so I could retire early and be her full-time pal everyday. Everything slowly fell into place and I began to build an elite breeding herd and also began to establish a store for her to run to fill her days. Unfortunately, my mother passed away 2 years ago, at Christmas, from a massive stroke, and she never got to see our dream come to fruition. That was the worse day of my life; I lost a mother and my best friend.While the holidays are tough around here on the farm with remembrance and reinventing traditions, my hope for everyone is that they take this time to cherish loved ones around them and to also remember the reason for this holiday season. Despite worldly sensitivities, on this farm, we are not afraid to say, "Merry Christmas"! We hope everyone is filled with the joy of the season and that everyone follows their dreams. Dreams do come true.Have a blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year!Kim and Tim