A lot has been said about this year. Mostly about how awful it has been. Or how it has brought out the worst in people, or in the nation. Or how it killed too many talented celebrities (give me a break, please). The folks at Merriam-Webster appropriately proclaimed "surreal" the Word of the Year.
I can't say its been a cakewalk for me, but I'm not ready to write 2016 off as a total loss. In the last two weeks I have experienced the best and worst this year has had to offer. A year has its ups and downs just like a week or a day.
2016 brought challenges and triumphs to my family, my friends, and me. Health improved and deteriorated. People bravely fought depression and personal tragedy, often in secret. Good news and new opportunities were celebrated zestfully. Lessons were learned. Babies were born and babies were lost. Facing obstacles, some revealed undiscovered depths of grace. I witnessed new relationships blossoming and old relationships growing deeper.
This year I was challenged to anticipate the needs of others, to move through the world with a better sense of perspective, and to reach new levels of patience. I was challenged to approach people with more kindness and less judgement, to believe in myself as a professional and as an artist, and to embrace the unknown.
I'm looking forward to the gifts and challenges that 2017 brings.