A HOLIDAY MESSAGE FROM:
Gord Tulloch  / Senior Programs Manager

The holiday season is a curious time of year. Every possible expression of our humanness seems to find voice, whether it is Old Navy's "I want" advertising campaign or appeals to withstand the seduction of mere things, whether it is merriment at holiday functions or contemplation in quiet spaces. There is so much going on at this time of year. I find myself going through all of it. It can be overwhelming, which I suppose is itself part of the drama of this time of year.

If you are like me, a lot of what preoccupies you in the countdown to Christmas is the question of what to gift to others. And as always, the disparity between what I want to do, and what I can afford to do, is a big one. When gratitude and affection is expressed in things it is hard not to want to get big and expensive things. And when there are so many people one cares about, and for whom one is grateful, it is hard to consider drawing any sort of circle based on affordability. I don't know if I will ever get resolution or perspective on this piece.

But I do want to say something to everyone who works for Mainstream, because the holiday gives me an opportunity to say it: THANK YOU! Thank you for bringing so much richness and joy to my day. Thank you for the amazing and incalculable work that you do. I am so blessed because I have an opportunity to be around you, and I earnestly hope you have a holiday season that is filled with joy, and lightness, and belonging, and beauty. This is surely part of the meaning of the season, and it is the gift you have already given to me....