Dear Readers, 

Thank you for sticking with us during this long break. With COVID posing a risk to many of our kids and a number of our staff, we are not doing workshops until it is actually safe for us to resume visits. Until then, we’re tapping into the treasure trove of material we have so we can remind everyone of the children’s talent and depth.  

This break has been good for all of us, in that we have made many changes in our professional and private lives, with new homes, new babies, new jobs, and so much more. The past few years have given us a chance to step back from distractions and focus on what’s most important to us. For me, it was leaving a very toxic job in an abusive environment and finding two employers who are kind and genuinely want to help the general public. I still grapple with the disappointment of quitting what I thought was my dream job but sometimes, circumstances make it too difficult to stay. We have all lost friends and family due to COVID and its after effects, and these deaths and the lives our loved ones led remind us that quality of life is most important when it comes to approaching all aspects of existence.  

Our adult hero for this issue is Gracie Gold, the beautiful Olympic skater who made the extremely challenging decision to walk away from her sport and public life to address her mental health. She’s back with a newfound sense of self and our interview shows how open and thoughtful she is, which is rare in a world that is becoming increasingly superficial. Our hope is that her words resonate with you and you share the interview with others who may be suffering from similar issues.  

The past three years have been arduous for many and the foreseeable future will also be emotionally and mentally strenuous. But we hope that our tenth issue will bring you some comfort in knowing that you are not alone.  

 

Always, 

Christina