I know a lot of people will tell you that 2016 was a terrible year, and of course, there were indeed some terrible things that happened (some of which we will not fully realize the terror of until this coming year).

It was also just a year, with highs and lows like any other.

2016 was the year I first traveled out of the country, the year I got to watch the Nantucket New School students talk to an astronaut live from the International Space Station, and the year I ran a half marathon (yeah, I’m surprised too, dear reader).

It was a year many people I care about got married, got engaged, got pregnant, and had children.

It was the year the last of my grandparents died, and countless of our collective heroes.

It was a year where so many of us rose and up pledged that we would not let anyone trample on the rights of others. I hope we remember this in the years to come.

I am grateful for the past year, for all I have written, and for all who have taken the moment to read.

Onward…