Last year, I wrote this to welcome our travel into the New Year. Hardly seems adequate looking back.

The Winter Solstice brings us the longest night of the year. It carries us into winter, a time to burrow in and reflect on where we’ve been, what we’ve done, and what the future may hold.

And 2020 has been a rough year. That is not a news flash.

I’ve liked the meme going about how we are not all in the same boat (as the expression usually goes). We are in the same sea, and we have many different kinds of boats. Some have luxury cruise ships and some have rafts. But we are in the same sea with the same storm. And no one should be allowed to drown.

I am sorry for all the loss and grief. They are always with us, it is true, but this year has been overwhelming, with losses of family gatherings, looked for events, businesses, travels, and so many lives. How do we even grieve so much? This country isn’t especially good at grieving or reflecting.

May this winter not be so harsh.

May you find comfort where and when you need it.

May we see each other here again next year.

Peace.

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Thanks for reading.

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