Belated Holiday Letter + My Word for 2024
In 2023, I definitely re-entered the post-pandemic world, traveling to different countries and states four times internationally and five times domestically. We both lost first cousins—Scott and Jenny— as well as Rob’s dear brother, Chris. We hosted our 40th anniversary party and our first house concert/fund-raiser. Both of our kids moved out-of-state, following their dreams to be a full-time professional musician (Clarke with Desert Child based in Durango, CO) and to run a nonprofit cooking school (Carolina with Marigold Cooking Collective in Eugene, OR). At home, we sang (together in the St Mark’s Singers), led prayers (Penny) and tended bees (Rob). My mother, Bernie, lives nearby and is well at 95. Life is rich and full. It’s amazing that I can still sum up a year in one paragraph.
So why has it taken so much longer than usual to come up with my word for the new year? It’s…
Paradox.
Three weeks is a long time to mull over the possibilities. One excuse is I’ve been rocking at sea a lot of that time. Ordinarily I’ve required myself to have chosen a word by now, like I’ve done for the 15 years before this one.
It’s taken longer to settle because I am uneasy about this strange idea of paradox. It doesn’t necessarily promote a comfortable feeling or direct me toward personal transformation the way most of the other words have. Instead it smacks of something that is unresolvable. It doesn’t follow the rules of logic and makes me think on a deeper level. The very thought of paradox messes with my mind.
And still, paradoxes are all around me:
*We are cruising in the lap of luxury while others starve.
*People drive cars on the beach near our cabin alongside the always exquisitely gorgeous ocean.
*I believe both interpretations of many stories even though they contradict each other.
*I feel great joy and deep grief at the same time. How can this be?
“Paradox” is such a peculiar phenomenon that I am having a hard time ending this essay. It does seem worthy of more reflection, perhaps even a year’s worth.
That said…
Happy New Year, everyone!
Love,
Penny
Always Bridging 