I compare this country to a dysfunctional family. You love them, but they're far from perfect. Even the families that look pristine on the outside have issues under the hood. Right now, loving this country feels complicated. At times, it even feels counterintuitive to the way I try to live my life—with compassion, kindness, and an open heart. Our history is beautifully imperfect, but freedom has always been the ideal that has that has drawn us forward.

Sometimes the things we grieve aren’t just the painful losses. Sometimes we grieve the things that brought us joy. This week, I found myself surprisingly emotional over the ending of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Through so much of the craziness happening in our country and around the world, Stephen has given me laughter. Perspective. Relief. A way to cope.

2026 has been quite a year so far. So much turmoil permeates our TV, social media feeds, communities, and everyday conversations. It feels like it’s everywhere. These environmental factors invade our thoughts and emotions, and even though most of it is out of our control, it’s so easy to get caught up in it all. And when I do, it takes a toll.

Hanukkah celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and freedom over oppression. I, along with Jews around the world, am lighting candles this week in honor of the tradition. But this year, it's with a heavy heart, as we mourn the loss of at least 15 Jews gunned down by a father and son in Australia while Jewish friends and families celebrated the first night of Hanukkah on a beautiful beach.