While the holiday season can grace us with celebration and coziness with both friends and family, it can also be a difficult time for many… a time when many are alone or not connected with loved ones. 

The holidays are rarely as the sitcoms and movies depict. Who actually kisses under the mistletoe anyway? How many people get a plethora of gifts? And about the Christmas tree, how many of you are going out into the wilderness to cut one down and haul it up the elevator and into your apartment? Some of you may have kids so there are exceptions but for many of us it’s a complicated time. 

For me, the holidays are all about connection with a small handful of important people in my life. Since my Dad passed away and my Mother’s health declined things have been very different for me. While I’m excited to have dinner with my cousin and her fam on the 24th, my son will be off to his father’s place on the 25th and I’ll be staying overnight with my mom to give her caregiver some time off. 

For me, the holidays are all about connection with a small handful of important people in my life.

It’s going to be a very quiet season with long nights and not so much daylight… It's that time of the year in Toronto. While there won’t be much merry making, I am already looking forward to some long walks with my dog Odie in the snow, as well as taking time to journal, sleep in, take long baths, and make lots of warm homemade food.

I know this will be an opportunity to remind myself that my body is my real home no matter where I am and this quiet, reclusive time will be an opportunity to actively be who I am and inhabit my body. While I am the founder of Graydon Skincare and encourage others to practice self care, I could do a better job of this myself so I’ve got a lot of catching up to do.

Whether you're making merry and enjoying a warm drink or chilling solo, I hope, and my team does too, that you find connection and comfort even in the simplest of moments. 

Whether it’s Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, or a toast on New Year’s Eve, please know that you are not alone. And if you are celebrating with your nearest and dearest, may you feel gratitude for all that you have and all that you don’t. 

Thank you for being a cherished part of our family. We are so grateful to have you as part of our community.   

With the warmest of wishes,