The losses 

of the last 

year

were mostly

unforeseen.

Some were

not

utterly surprising,

yet 

not necessarily

expected

to be

that way

looking 

back

a year

ago.

Some 

loss

was

shocking.

Some was

revelatory.

Perhaps

as surprising

and

unapparent

was

resilience

quietly

strengthening

without

force;

just

enduring

with 

hidden

suppleness.

The soft

strength

of endurance

like

water

constantly

flowing

over

rocks

has been

the most consistent

story;

more

pervasive

than

more

obvious

loss.

We

keep

going.

Sometimes

we think

we need

to know

how.

Life

after

loss

feels

impossible

and heavy

but

the softness

of air

flows

anyway,

whether

or not

we

notice. 

When we

hold our

breath

we 

try to

suspend

time.

But

oxygen

wants

to

flow—

to circulate,

to beat

tha

thump

and maintain

the rhythm

of

being

into

a new year

with new

possibility.