Holiday gatherings

I was on the phone with my colleague Adam in Santa Monica earlier this week when I had to relocate myself because someone wanted to string lights and hang snowflakes above my desk. "We've truly turned into Dunder Mifflin", I whispered to him.

There's been several news reports about companies canceling holiday parties this year, though I am glad my company didn't. Like many others, we had a tough year and went thru layoffs, salary freezes and furloughs (this was around the time I also decided I was moving back to New York, when both my father, brother in law and Jason were asking how the company was doing.). As it was more of a belt-tightening year, we transformed the third floor of our office into a party space earlier this week followed by an office potluck/family meal the next day. While I wasn't part of the crew that stayed until 2 a.m. and then went out to an after party bar until 4 a.m, I think end of the year holiday parties are fun, and so important. It's good to gather.

I'm a social person so have enjoyed going to several since Thanksgiving - in homes, bars and restaurants, even one in the reception hall of a church. Last night I went to one in a home I don't think I've been in for over seven years. Most of the people in the room were in the publishing industry, and they acknowledged a tough year, and called it the "Decade from Hell", referencing a TIME magazine story from last week. Though the host raised a glass to the future, "This is about hope," he said.

In the beginning of this decade, my mother unexpectedly died, our nation went thru September 11th, I decided I wanted to move far away to golden California. I certainly never expected to be back in New York at the bookend of this decade, but there's something about everyone gathering together, even when I was 3,000 miles away, I always felt connected to New York. The year, and the decade, also brought its share of many blessings and joy - new lives, new relationships, and the promise of what's around the corner that we just can't see yet. Not sure where the next decade will lead but am very glad to be here now.