The holiday letter I reread every year

A string of moments is all we get

I don’t know whether you tolerate or celebrate the holidays, whether you’re spending time alone or with others, whether the swell of emotion at the base of your throat is a stifled plea or a rising song.

Lately I feel like I don’t know much at all, but in spite of everything there are a handful of ideas that still feel true to me: That curiosity is more potent than fear, that the shortest path to peace is gratitude, and that goodness can be found if I look for it.

The piece that follows was written many seasons past and sent as a holiday letter to family and friends. I first shared it here two years ago. I hope you will have a few minutes in the next little while to enjoy it for the first time, or again.

I say it often but feel I can’t ever say it enough: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

~Elizabeth

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My daughters, those two little sprites up there, are home together for the holidays for the first time in six years, and that feels like some kind of miracle. I can’t ask for more, but if you wanted to share a moment of gratitude from sometime in your year, I’d love to read about that. Your comments are pure delight!

Chicken Scratch is intentionally free, because I want everyone to have equal access. Even so, many are choosing to support the work with paying subscriptions, lifting up the creative effort and a community of readers at the same time. If now feels like the right time to upgrade (Sue, many thanks!), that would be an amazing gift. One-time contributions can be made here, and any amount is worthwhile.

I appreciate you all and wish you every kindness this holiday season.