The Year of the Leap: 2020
Where to start, where to start, where to start.
The only place to start that feels right is to acknowledge all the opportunities I had to learn and grow this year. I feel like it's easy to write this year off as being the worst but in my view, it brought about great reflection, gratefulness, and new ways of connection & community.
It sounds pretty ridiculous to even write the word community when we can't even see whether someone is grimacing or giving us a gentle smile in the grocery store, but some of my fondest memories are in the Walmart on H street. This is an AMAZING Walmart. It's where I met Mr. Mac who works in the Cold & Flu aisle — I'm not hooked on cold medicine, just always in need of more Airborne. The one thing that I always ask Mr. Mac is "when do you get off," in hopes that he'll be done soon and I can encourage him that the end is in sight. The answer is always "not until close but at least I got to see you!" which melts my heart every damn time.
Not only have these experiences allowed me to learn the names of people from all walks of life but they have empowered me to engage all those who surround me. The one bit of clarity that this year has brought, is that we need others, be they strangers or family.
There is beauty in every connection.