by Laurie Singer

I don't know how the "Holiday Season" got to be the "Holiday Season."

Who was the marketing guru who made us all feel like we can't do this time of year without mega-buying and mega-decorating? There was a time when the holidays were more about gatherings with friends and family.

This past weekend, I was lucky enough to be included at two holiday parties filled with faces of old friends from the Leroy and Laurie time. So many of his pals from his years at ABC News. The Nightline gang gathered around, and it felt, for a moment, like old times.

I mean, I caught myself searching the room for Leroy. Wondering what group he was talking to while I was visiting across the room. Leroy always had trouble hearing at these parties, because at 6 foot 5, he was above the chit-chat. So he would lean in, trying to pick up bits of the conversation.

Then I'd hear that laugh ... a personal GPS to his location.

It wasn't easy for me to go to these parties. Walking in without him was just plain hard. But I'm glad I went. The season has more meaning for me now.

It really is all about the friends and family. And sometimes they are one and the same.