Letter 77: Happy Holidays

When we do our best for love

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Click play to hear Emily read today’s letter.

Happy holiday season to you!

Now that The Learning Curve is in our second year (!!), Molly and I (Emily) love that we can implement traditions. One tradition in which we find value is in taking a break.

The sweetest little hand!

We are so grateful to you and for you. Thank you for being here. Thank you for every like, share, and comment. Thank you for contributing to this community of women. The fact that we get to share women’s stories and cultivate this community is truly what keeps us going. And in order to keep going, an intentional pause for rest must be a priority.

“We need quiet time to examine our lives openly and honestly - spending quiet time alone gives your mind an opportunity to renew itself and create order.”

Susan L. Taylor

And while I know that rest can be a little too much to hope for during these busy times, perhaps the intention of setting aside some time to pause, reflect, and express gratitude (whether quietly or aloud) can enhance our holiday season for the better.

A very sunny Christmas Eve, 2021. Lottie is wearing my first Christmas dress!

We are signing off for the remainder of the year—to rest and recharge and fully enjoy the holidays with our families.

One tradition my family has started now that we have a toddler is watching A Muppet Christmas Carol and other familiar favorites. (Molly and I both love to watch Meet Me in St. Louis!) So, as cheesy as it is, I simply must leave you with the lyrics to one of the songs, “It Feels Like Christmas,” sung by the Ghost of Christmas Present:

It's in the singing of the street corner choir
It's going home and getting warm by the fire
It's true wherever you find love it feels like Christmas

A cup of kindness that we share with another
A sweet reunion with a friend or a brother
In all the places you find love, it feels like Christmas

It is the season of the heart
A special time of caring
The ways of love made clear
And it is the season of the spirit
The message if we hear it
Is make it last all year

It's in the giving of a gift to another
A pair of mittens that were made by your mother

It's all the ways that we show love
That feel like Christmas

A childhood that we'll always remember
It's the Summer of the soul in December
Yes, when you do your best for love
It feels like Christmas

It is the season of the heart
A special time of caring
The ways of love made clear

It is the season of the spirit
The message if we hear it
Is make it last all year

It's in the singing of a street corner choir
It's going home and getting warm by the fire
It's true wherever you find love
It feels like Christmas

We have so much more planned for The Learning Curve when we return in January. We hope you have a wonderful Hannukah, Christmas, and New Year.

With gratitude,

Emily

P.S. Work, rest, and gratitude, full of hope, and finding meaning in the mundane.