The holidays are upon us, and so is the first day of winter, which is the shortest and darkest day of the year. We’re heartened knowing that daylight hours begin to lengthen after the winter solstice, which arrives in the northern hemisphere on Thursday, December 21.

Modern-day holiday traditions are rooted in events of the natural world, including the winter solstice. Our present-day holiday customs circle the globe and spiral back thousands of years, and are as varied as the many branches on our family trees. What has remained constant through the eons is the sense of celebration and gratitude for all we hold dear.

So maybe this season, as we navigate through endless advertising alerts and emails and spend late nights in front of our laptop and tablet screens searching for that perfect, last-minute gift; as we endure the snarl of traffic and crowds, and the stress of getting everything done—let’s try to remember what sometimes get lost in the rush of the holiday season: that memories of holidays’ past, and being present in the moment with loved ones, are the most treasured gifts of all.

With holiday meals at the center of our celebration, we’ll soon gather around the table to enjoy holiday dishes that have been created from recipes handed down through the generations.

While we’re enjoying time spent with family and friends, let us renew our sense of gratitude by committing to helping those in need, in gestures big or small, throughout the year. Whether volunteering at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, or visiting an elderly neighbor, or donating to a favorite charity, every act of giving brings the possibility of hope and makes a difference.

This holiday season, let us all strive to make our little corner of the world a better place. 

From The Cuyahoga Group family to yours, we wish everyone a safe and joyous holiday season, and a happy and healthy new year!