Reflecting on challenges and inspirations in the two years since COVID-19 arrived
Thursday marks anniversary of the day we gathered in our conference room - as spaced out as possible - went over some policies, then told everyone to pack up their belongings and go home. We planned to shift to emergency response mode and be back together in a couple of weeks. How wrong we were! But I'm excited that this Thursday, we'll be gathering for a St. Patrick's Day Networking Luncheon at The Boatyard. That alone demonstrates how much progress we've made.
For all of the heartache and grief the last two years have brought us, we've also witnessed so much good being done; hours of selfless sacrifice by nonprofit partners; inspiring business innovations and pivots; new types of community being created. We now benefit from many days that feel "mostly normal", and pausing to celebrate and relish those moments is important for us all. It's also critical to recognize that "normal" continues to evade so many people - and for some, it was never a good place to begin with.
As I look back on the hundreds of business counseling emails, calls, and appointments; the budget scares and fundraising efforts; the hundreds of zoom meetings; the business stops and starts, policy shifts, mask guidance and more - I'm grateful we've made it this far. It has been a wild ride, but it's not yet over. Moving forward, we must continue to be flexible, understanding, responsive, and supportive of one another. The challenges we face today may echo those from before, but many are deeper, more complex, and even more urgent to solve together.
I continue to see so much potential in our community: in businesses starting and growing; in organizations finding new ways to serve; in the food, art, music and natural beauty that surround us. I hope that you see it, too. And I hope you take good care of yourself and those around you - that you find joy, hope, and balance in the months ahead.
