Artwork courtesy Julie Martineau (Omnimana)
Jerilynn C. Prior BA, MD, FRCPC
During these dark and rainy December days of 2024, we who work together at the Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research send warm wishes for a restorative and supportive holiday for all in our wider community.
As a mother who gave birth to her first child a week before Christmas, I continue to find it astonishing that a whole new religious Faith was born, not as a grown-man preacher or prophet, but from a baby.
Christmas, the winter solstice and all other winter holidays remind us of the power of birth and re-birth, and of the amazing process of reproduction in humans and other species. These dark days are a time of quiet and contemplation as we gather strength for the lengthening light, and growth in the days ahead.
For optimum fertility, and for ideal nurturing and childrearing, each parent-child triad or duo needs an ongoing, diverse, supportive and understanding community. Ideally members of a community are of varying ages, genders, socioeconomic and ethnic identities yet united in some common purpose. Within such a community we are our best selves, able to laugh and cry and hence to support and learn together.
With today’s ‘progress’ toward living in cities and the necessity of job-related mobility, biological families are scattered. New urban environments may offer few opportunities to really get to know others. It is our ‘job’, each of us, to wave at those who cycle past, or smile or chat with others as we walk or while on public transit.
This process of person-to-person community-building carries risks. We may feel vulnerable, or shy, or even scared. But the gains far outweigh the small potential for harm in most honest, confident and positive interactions. At this darkest time of year, there are others around us in need. It is essential that we give what we have and of ourselves.
My hope is that we have the courage and faith in community to reach out to those whom we don’t know, who may differ. It need not be profound. Comment on the weather, pet their dog or ask a friendly question. Our humanity, healthy reproduction and long-term health rely on positive interpersonal interactions within small and large communities. These communities and our relationships form the backbone of a democratic, literate, equitable and vibrant country. And such countries of the world then become able to deal with the many conflicts and climate change challenges of the days and years ahead.
In the words of the University of British Columbia’s President Benoit-Antoine Bacon PhD, we need to “walk each other home.” (accessed Nov. 19, 2024).
As we reflect on the importance of community and connection this holiday season, we invite you to support CeMCOR in its mission to provide the latest research, resources, and tools to help women+ better understand their cycles, ovulation, and overall health. We’re also working on an exciting new project–redesigning our website to make our valuable information more accessible to our growing community. CeMCOR relies entirely on donations to sustain this work, and there are two main ways to contribute–through direct donations or by purchasing the Estrogen's Storm Season book.
If a donation isn’t possible, you can also support us by participating in our research studies and surveys–every contribution makes a difference.
Thank you for helping us continue to serve and grow our community!
