2020 Wrap Up
My 2020 was… challenging, absurd, profound, eye-opening, and peaceful.
At its best, I enjoyed the comforts of staying at home and spending a lot of time with family. I exchanged the bustle of sporadic events with an even routine of one-on-one calls. I invested in myself and I learned how to recognize and internalize my own self-worth.
At its worst, I lost two grandparents and grieved with my family through laggy Zoom calls. I said good bye to one of my best friends.
2020 reminded me that we’re all operating within a game of chance and borrowed time.
As cases of COVID-19 inch closer and closer into my inner circle, I’m aware that waking up to the same count of loved ones as I had the day before is not a given.
While externally I tend to respond very optimistically, I know that life is at the whim of the unknown. I like to cheer people on, set goals, be productive, but I can accept that there is only so much I can do that’s within my control. I keep a pendant with me inscribed with Memento Mori to remind me of this.
Whenever I’m really happy or really sad, I think about this excerpt from “The Prophet” by Kahlil Gibran:
Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” and others say,
“Nay, sorrow is the greater.”
But I say unto you, they are inseparable.
Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your
board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.
At this very moment, joy sits with me, but I’m aware that the next chapter of sorrow is likely not too far away. I’ll count my blessings. I’ll love the people in my life as best I can using what I learned this past year on loving with patience, understanding, and self-respect.
While the world closed down, somehow my friendships deepened and opened up. I’d like to wrap up the year by saying thank you to all the people who made my 2020 into something worth celebrating:
Crystal — for being the most profoundly iconic person I have ever met and whelming alongside me on this grand adventure to be a better human.
Maria — for witnessing my growth and always reminding me that first and foremost, life is romance and poetry.
Xuan — for our thought provoking conversations, endless silliness, and for inspiring me with your boldness in defining your own story.
Monique — for your beautiful insights, your commitment to social justice, your curiosity for the human experience that plays so well with my own.
Eric — for always encouraging the fire in me to burn unapologetically; for keeping me sharp with your honesty and our shared idealism.
Phil — for teaching me how to pursue truth, and on multiple instances, nearly killing me through laughter (honestly, would be the best way to go)
All the kind and brilliant friends I've made through the Interintellect community
My Artist's Way book club and support group (Ignatius, Andrew, Jackie, Xuan)
My home full of love: Ma, Papa, Kuya, my cousins, and my pupperoo, Tifa
I get to experience so many new perspectives, ideas, and lifetimes through each of you.
Thank you for making this tumultuous year so profound 💛
Katrina
