Commentary: A season of thankfulness, hope and rancor

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Another year is nearly in the books. I’m not sure the term “year” accurately captures the magnitude of all that has transpired during the past 12 months. The quantity and volume of “once-in-a-lifetime” events seem impossible to have fit into the 8,760 hours that make up a Gregorian calendar. Accordingly, I think we may need a new unit of measurement for the 366 days beginning on Jan. 1, 2020 and ending at midnight on the 31st of December. Perhaps we can call it “A Reckoning,” “Groundhog’s Revenge,” or simply “WTF.” In case you don’t like any of those options, Under Analysis will be accepting nominations through the end of the “year” (which means you have approximately 146,743 days left to make your submissions.) Godspeed.

Putting aside the unique nature of our current turn around the sun, I have spent a lot of time during the past couple of weeks in reflection. Of course, it has been an incredibly difficult year in so many ways, for so many people. We all have suffered through shutdowns and displacements. We all have spent weeks and months missing our dearest friends and family members. As a country and a world, many of us have cancelled or modified trips, weddings, graduations, holidays and birthday parties. The most vulnerable among us have suffered alone, often in silence. We’ve learned how to bake bread, started (and then neglected) gardens, pushed our dishwashers to the brink of collapse and become bird watchers. My friend Joe, a former college football player, even took up cross-stitching.

Many of us have suffered personal tragedies, which have been made worse by the pandemic. My wife and I had a miscarriage shortly after quarantine began. It was relatively early in the pregnancy, so we hadn’t told anyone. In some ways, that made it tougher to cope with the loss, particularly because our only human interaction was through hastily scheduled (and awkward) Zoom chats. Shortly thereafter, my father unexpectedly passed away at age 61. Although he tested negative for COVID-19 at the time, he had all of the telltale symptoms (shortness of breath, high fever, gastrointestinal issues), and we remain convinced this insidious virus took his life. That same day, President Donald Trump was tweeting about how well his administration was doing keeping the death count so low. It wasn’t low to me. I spent my first Easter without my dad the following day. A few weeks later, my uncle unexpectedly passed, also in his early 60s. My family has dealt with numerous serious health scares. Through all of it, we have mourned in isolation. Our story is not unique. This year has left scars that will never heal for millions of families.

Despite all that has transpired, though, it is important — especially at this time of year — to be in gratitude, even if it feels a little forced. Thanksgiving was my father’s favorite holiday. He gave a speech every year at the dinner table in which he reminded us all what is important in life: the love of our family and the ability to all gather together, even if just once a year. If he were here today, he’d be the first to point out all of the ways in which I’ve been blessed this year, even when it’s been difficult to acknowledge them.

Upon reflection, I have much for which to be grateful. My wife is pregnant again — it’s a girl! We had a virtual baby shower last weekend. Dozens of our friends and family participated and shared hope and advice for the future. They each sent homemade ornaments for our Christmas tree currently on display in our nursery. I’m reminded of all those who have found themselves unable to have children and have had to listen to months of parents (well-meaning as they may be) complain about having their children at home while they try to work. I’m grateful that we’ve been given the gift of a new life.

My work has been interesting and varied. In the weeks following the first shutdowns in March, I had the opportunity to provide pro bono services to numerous worthy causes that were helping other during the pandemic. My firm offered additional opportunities to volunteer, and my wife and I got to deliver meals to health care workers. A nonprofit whose board I sit on pivoted and began making grants to organizations helping to fight the virus. I was reminded yet again of the many ways in which lawyers and law firms can help during times of crisis. I’m also grateful to still have a job, when millions of Americans and people around the world have lost theirs. I don’t take that for granted.

Most importantly, I have hope for the future. The reports of the efficacy and safety of several vaccines is incredibly promising, and they offer hope that we soon may return to a semblance of normalcy. I’m grateful and hopeful for those fighting to save our democracy from those who seek to subvert the will of the American people. Although many national political figures have abdicated their responsibilities and duties to the country, it’s encouraging to see local officials on the ground — Democrats and Republicans alike — standing up for democracy.

Lawyers, too, have jumped into action, most of whom are fighting the good fight to help preserve the integrity of our elections. I wouldn’t be surprised if this period may have spawned a new generation of lawyers; I’m not sure if I’m thankful, hopeful or troubled about that potentiality. But, actually it could provide a career option for our future daughter. Maybe her first book should be my old “Election Law: Cases and Materials,” a treatise from my 2L year. After all, that’s probably a more effective sleep aid than “Goodnight Moon”.