Happy holidays, to those celebrating them. I have to say I am not celebrating any particular holiday, but I am all for renewal, rebirth and resurrection, themes of my life, writing and photography. I love the Easter message, as I understand it, and I hear it as a call for rebirth. Some years ago, I nearly lost my life and I am grateful every day to have it back. I do not mean to lose it again. I think it is heartening to say that we can give birth to our lives again and again, as Gabriel Garcia Marquez has written, not just when our mothers give birth to us.

I think this process of renewal and rebirth is continuous, never-ending. I affirm it every day of my life, and I try and live it every day of my life. I am here to tell you it can be done. Lives can be changed. Love can be found. On all holidays, I celebrate the gift of the creative spark, the light within us that pulls us ahead, encourages us to never surrender to fear or panic or anger, and tells us that love is the point, love is the reason, love is why we are here.