Dear John,

On Friday afternoon, my father-in-law, Curt Gerrish, peacefully made his way home. It was a beautiful transition filled with love and reverence for a man who was thoughtful and kind, measured yet brave, and relentless in his commitment to building a life and a company that provided for his family and hundreds of employees and their families for over forty years.

When I first met Curt in December 1993, I remember thinking, “This is a good man.” I’ve thought the same thing repeatedly about his son, Michael, my husband. The apple had a beneficent tree from which to grow and flourish.

There’s never a good time to lose someone we love, and the holidays make it especially tough with expectations of celebration at every turn. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned this past year, it’s that expectations are a guaranteed source of suffering. Instead, acceptance is a helpful antidote to pain. When we embrace the life we’re handed, we awaken a rarified atmosphere where time slows down, presence becomes easily accessible, and the simplest moments feel holy. As I lay in bed this morning, staring out the window, I watched snow-covered tree limbs sway back and forth in the wind and I swear I could feel the universe dancing. Sharing a cup of tea with a friend able to host my grief spun an invisible thread of love between us that softened the sadness.

For the third time this year, I add a new member to my Spiritual Board of Directors. My father-in-law will become the new Chairman of the Board and I have no doubt he’ll make his presence known at just the right moment. In the meantime, I intend to bubble-wrap my Mother-in-law. As accepting as I am, I’m ready for a break.

May you find the time and space to soak in the beauty of the season. I wish you peace, plenty of rest, and an abundance of holy moments ❤️.

Love,
Cheryl

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