02/01/2022
I never quite make it before the New Years deadline (!), but alas...here is my annual JP year in reflection and review:
I could state the obvious, about 2021 being a year that was not exactly what we thought it was going to be one year ago. We had hopes that 2021 was going to leave 2020 far in the rearview.
While we weren't exactly right, it would be unfair to 2021 to say there were not things to celebrate. Doors opened again. Kids returned to school. We saw a semblance of justice for the black and POC community, but the climb is far from over. We saw vaccinations, and (for a brief period) a collective relaxation after a year of held breath from complete uncertainty.
We saw gatherings, we moved around the world again, we turned off our computers and saw faces again.
While we are again in a period of uncertainty, we are now in a very different place. For this year we have knowledge, tools, and more control than we did a year ago. We have the means. We continue to have the obligation to bring those means to those who cannot access them because of a flawed system. We continue to have much work to do, but we are in a better position to do so.
Amidst the ever-changing tides that were 2021, I was fortunate to officiate for 44 couples -- from elopements on my front porch to large parties high above Boston. Many couples finally married after 1, 2, or even 3 rescheduled dates. Joy abounded in ways that felt different in 2021 than in the past. The joy of marriage met with the joy of reunion in profound moments.
Now it is 2022. Let's get to work. There are more moments lying in wait; And I want to see all of your faces again, for good.
