Notes on the Season
Morning light reflections on my fresh holiday peonies
As another holiday season arrives, I’ve been reflecting on the passage of time. It’s undeniable how much can change in 365 days. In conversations over coffee and dinners with friends recently, one thing has stood out: pain is a quiet undercurrent in so many lives. It’s a shared experience that is both humbling and, paradoxically, a reminder of our interconnectedness.
“So may I suggest, the secret of Christmas
It’s not the things you do
At Christmas time but the Christmas things you do
All year through
”
This time of year, I return to Ella Fitzgerald’s The Secret of Christmas. Its message resonates deeply—not about grand gestures, but the small, meaningful ways we can care for one another. These moments of grace are the true spirit of the season.
Yet reaching out often feels vulnerable. It can be uncomfortable to step into someone else’s world, especially when we’re unsure of how to help. But I urge you to lean in, even when it feels uneasy. The strongest among us often wear their smiles as armor. Connection, however small, can be a lifeline.
For me, this season feels different—quieter, more reflective. Navigating a holiday without my family unit intact is not without its challenges. It’s a journey not everyone will understand, but for those who do, I am deeply grateful.
And so, as we close this year and look to the next, I hope we allow this season to rekindle our capacity for kindness, courage, and empathy. Let us move forward with a deeper commitment to seeing one another, truly seeing, and to extending a hand, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Because it is often in these small acts that we find the strength to carry on—and, more importantly, to uplift those around us.