When I was 23 years old, I packed everything I owned into my parents’ mini-van and headed east. The van was filled to the limit with boxes, bags, art supplies, and my cat, Parsifal, wedged among them. My parents were the kind of quietly generous people who never complained about

Each of us will keep in mind a particular Christmas. A Christmas to remember in a unique and unforgettable way. My first Christmas in Toronto was spent soon after my mother and I arrived.

If you ever feel uncertain about where you belong, take heart in this: your story matters. Let it join the great narrative of humanity in motion. You never know where your journey may take you—but by embracing your unique identity and experiences, you can find your place in the world, and in doing so, help others find theirs.