Here's hoping for a good year ahead

Dan writes: Before January passes by without a fresh post, I thought I’d share some New Year’s thoughts.

Buh-bye, 2020

The year past was difficult in many ways. There were happy highlights: Vivien, CJ and Charlie welcomed baby Austin; Andy and Wren purchased and moved into their home in upstate New York, and announced their engagement; Genevieve and John took ownership of the Noyac cottage that has been in the family since the 1960s. 

But there was also loss: Wren’s mother passed away, an early casualty of Covid-19. Family events were canceled and we missed one another's company. Risk of contagion forced us to limit our activities and made anxiety a backdrop to ordinary life.

The start of 2021 has brought hope for progress against the pandemic that is now in its 11th month in the U.S., but also doubts about when life can get fully back to normal. The development of vaccines provides hope; their disorganized distribution and the emergence of new virus strains create doubt. The formation of a government dedicated to overcoming the health crisis, and the hard work of healthcare providers, bring hope; the continued resistance from anti-science and anti-social forces raises doubts. 

While we hope for common sense to prevail, I wish all our extended family continued health and safety, and look forward to a time when we can again visit one another in gatherings large and small. In the meantime, please keep us posted on your activities so we can share them here on the Birch Street Web and continue Keeping In Touch. 

Thanks, and have a wonderful year!