by Cheryl Batavia

Happy Holidays! 2026 Contact Information for Cheryl Batavia

Winter Wonderland, Christmas Market in Old Toronto, Canada. Photo by Manpreet Singh from Unsplash.

We Celebrate Life

We celebrate life

in the sad, dark days of wars…

an act of courage!

Believing in a future

of brighter, happier days.

Living in chaos…

We envision harmony!

Living in wartime…

We seek negotiation,

cooperation, and peace!

Whether Diwali,

Ramadan, Hanukkah, Christmas,

Kwanzaa, or Solstice,

we celebrate brotherhood

and one human family!

We celebrate life,

cherishing nature’s wonders ,

and our hopes and dreams.

Mindful of the light that shines

in the darkest hour of night.

We celebrate life

in the sad, dark days of war…

an act of courage!

Hope, like a glowing candle,

illuminates the new year.

Diwali lamp. Photo by Janardan Mahto from Unsplash.

Ramadan Lanterns. Photo by Rawan Yasser from Unsplash.

Hanukkah Menorah. Photo by Robert Thiemann from Unsplash

Advent Wreath, Christmas. Photo by KaLisa Veer from Unsplash.

Photo by Greta Hoffman from Pexels

Bonfire, Winter Solstice. Photo by Joe Batavia

Copyright© 2023 by Cheryl Batavia

PEACE

“Let There Be Peace on Earth…”

Happy Holidays!

Wishing You a Joyous and Peaceful Holiday Season!

Robert & Cheryl

Cheryl’s Phone Number: 941-323-7525 As of January, this will be the only phone number for Cheryl Batavia.

Preffered Email for Cheryl: cherylbatavia@gmail.com

87 Comments

  2. Unknown's avatar

    A courageous act indeed to celebrate 🎉 but this we MUST do—we need to keep the light of hope and peace shining bright.

    Lovely picture, Cheryl. 👏🏽

    Splendid words. ☮️ 🕊️

    Merry Christmas to you. 🕯️

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you, Selma! Your wonderful comment brought me cheer! ❤

      I had been struggling with what to write as a holiday poem, and decided that I must write about what is on my mind and not just some nostalgia or light-hearted Santa verses, although I am working on something like that too. Thank you for making me feel that I made the right choice.

      Love and peace to you and your family! Merry Christmas! ❤

      Liked by 1 person

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  5. Unknown's avatar

    Beautiful lines and the accompanying photos of lights from different faiths. Nothing is more inhuman than war and nothing is more important than peace and brotherhood towards all. Thank you for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      I am delighted that you enjoyed the post, Diti. Thank you for your beautiful reflections on brotherhood and peace. I think that is the basis of many holiday traditions at this time of year. My pleasure to share. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful thoughts. Happy 2024! ❤ ❤ ❤

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      1. Unknown's avatar

        Thank you Cheryl, wishing you a very happy 2024, too. Just wanted to add, that the photos struck me as being a really wonderful and unique way to bring out how light, candle or diya, signifies peace, love and blessings in all those religions.So the ultimate goal of harmony and brotherhood, remains common to all of them. Different paths to reach the same destination. Really enjoyed seeing the different illuminations used.

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Unknown's avatar

    Cheryl,

    Loved your poem! The “We celebrate life” refrain is a powerful anthem of courage in tough times. Your nod to different celebrations shows our shared human vibe. The bit about cherishing nature and hope as a glowing candle is spot-on.

    ~David

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Unknown's avatar

      David, you and your family are always in my thoughts. ❤

      I am so happy that you loved the poem. Your thoughtful analysis and kind comments made my day!

      I have no doubt that you and your family have the courage you need to get through these very tough times. Beyond that, I know that you and your wife are a help and comfort to those around you. Take care, David ❤

      May peace come soon to our troubled world. That is my heartfelt wish for 2024.

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you, Michele, for your kind response. ❤ Glad you enjoyed the post.

      I deeply appreciate your support of my book. Thank you so much! ❤ I look forward to reading your review.

      Happy Holidays, and may the New Year bring you and yours abundant health, happiness, and success!

      Liked by 1 person

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  17. Unknown's avatar

    Cheryl, your lovely and uplifting poem is so apt for these times. Let shining light lights guide us to peace and harmony. Let our days ahead be a safe harbor for our children so they can carry on goodwill and care for their fellow man. Let nature prosper so we can reap what we sow. Let the chaos end and the world be at peace: Merry Christmas and best wishes for the approaching new year. 🤍

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Thank you for your beautiful response, Eugi! It reads like a prayer or meditation that beautifully expresses the hopes of multitudes of people all over the world. ❤

      Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy New Year! Wishing worldwide peace and cooperation in 2024 ❤ ❤ ❤

      Liked by 1 person

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  23. Unknown's avatar

    While reading this poem, I felt as if I had written it, and I’m not an exception, most of your readers might also have experienced it. This poem of yours is the voice of the majority. As regards various festivals, we in India too celebrate Diwali, Eid and Christmas with the same fervour. Thank you so much, Chery, for creating a gem of the poem 👌💐💖

    Liked by 1 person

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  27. Unknown's avatar

    Cheryl, this is truly beautiful. Your words weave a tapestry of resilience and hope against the backdrop of profound darkness. You’ve captured the essential, defiant truth that to celebrate life, to cherish light and community, during times of war is not an act of ignorance, but one of immense courage. The imagery of the glowing candle illuminating the new year is a perfect, lasting symbol of the quiet, persistent strength your poem champions. Thank you for this poignant and timely reminder of our shared humanity and the light we must keep alive within us.

    Liked by 2 people

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  30. Unknown's avatar

    A profound and luminous poem that, in the midst of darkness, raises hope as a courageous act. It celebrates life, unity, and peace with a simple beauty that reminds us that light can always be born, even in the most difficult times.

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Subashini, Thank you for your lovely words. 💕You have perfectly summarized the message I wanted to convey! It means a lot to me. Hope is the greatest motivation.

      Wishing you and your family a beautiful 2026!

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Cindy, I feel that the message is more urgent today than it was two years ago. Thank you for rereading it, and for your support.

      You and your family are in my thoughts this holiday season. I wish you joy and peace. 💕🎄🎉💕

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  34. Unknown's avatar

    Thank you for sharing this beautiful and heartfelt reflection, Cheryl. Your words remind us that even in the darkest, most chaotic times, there is always space for hope, courage, and light. I love how you weave together the challenges of our world with the celebration of life, traditions, and the human family – it feels both grounding and uplifting.

    The image of hope as a glowing candle is particularly moving, especially at this turning point into a new year. Your poem encourages us to pause, appreciate the wonders of nature and human connection, and to carry that light forward, no matter how shadowed the times may seem.

    Thank you for this inspiring reminder to celebrate life, cherish each moment, and nurture the hope that guides us.

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. Unknown's avatar

      Rosie, your beautiful comment touched me deeply. Thank you so much for your kind words. May 2026 be the beginning of a more peacful and compassionate era for all of us!

      Thank you for your lovely art that brings joy to others.

      Happy New Year to you and your loved ones. ❤️

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  37. Unknown's avatar

    This was such a lovely read, Cheryl ❤️❤️ I really enjoyed the calm, grateful tone of your words they do feel comforting, like a quiet conversation with a friend. Thank you for sharing this beautiful perspective and giving us a reason to slow down and celebrate life a little more. Happy Holidays! 🫂🥂

    Liked by 1 person

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