Hi Reader,

Let’s get right to it, shall we?

Tomorrow is a day of mourning. A day of fear for many. And some may say, a day of embarrassment for the American people.

My mom is American, moved to Canada with her first husband after having my brother and sister in the States. She had been in Toronto a few years before meeting my dad, and he brought her to the farmland his family shared in the Ottawa Valley. I guess she felt at home among the hippie values sprouting up in this local rural community because she never left, (even though they broke up when I was just 2 years old).

Growing up though, I never knew if I was learning an American custom or a Canadian one. I’ll admit, to this day, I use Imperial more than Metric when I have to measure something.

I also grew up taking a few trips across the border each year. My mom’s family is from Upstate New York so a quick 4 hour drive brings us right to the door of my Aunt’s home. My memories of these trips are filled with family card games, swimming in Canandaigua lake and lots and lots of laughs with my cousins.

As I got a little older, mom would remind me on the drive down that we don’t discuss politics with our relatives, nor religion. We keep it light, keep it happy. It made sense to me. I wanted to love my relatives, not argue with them.

I love Americans as a whole. You are kind and smart and creative. Americans are wonderful people. Holy, just like the Palestinians and the rest of us.

And I weep for you. I’m so sorry this has happened to your country, again. You deserve better.

Yet here we are. Tomorrow a convicted felon and rapist will become President of the United States, for the second time. Anger is very reasonable.

We can be angry. We can be sad. We can be terrified, even.

What we can’t be is complacent. Or permissive. Or silent.

I am hopeful. I hope that this presidency inspires great action. I hope that this presidency spurs activism and community building and resilience. I have hope. I won’t let it go.

And I want to nurture that for you too, so today I share a few journal prompts to keep our hearts on the right side:

I believe in the goodness of people, I see it all the time when….

I have faith in my heart that we will….

I know I can trust myself to….

We don't know what will happen over the next four years. But whatever happens, be someone who can hold their head high. Do your best. Speak, work and play in alignment with your values.

Now, more than ever, we need people who are doing the work to be their best selves, their kindest selves, their most loving selves.

I believe love will get us through. Fierce love. Compassionate love. Self-love. There's no other path.

​Sacred Pages is one of the ways you can support yourself this year to stay aligned and true to what matters most to you. It will be a safe space for LGBTQIA+ folks, for BIPOC peeps and anyone up for smashing the patriarchy from an intersectional lens.

It's also a safe place for folks who aren't part of any of those groups but have an open, compassionate heart.

Let's do our part to make love win.

Take great care,

Parrish

​

​

​

​

​