"The invitation from a friend was simple: take a picture each day of something
that brings you joy. The intention was harder: bring a little light into a year
of profound tumult, and isolation. In the summer of 2020, I like many was
starting to feel the unraveling of time--my calendar no longer punctuated by
social gatherings and grocery shopping, casual exchanges and well-worn routines.
The unscheduled hours I'd previously longed for were being delivered in bundles
and heaps, and had begun to feel alarming and disorienting."
In the midst of a turbulent time, writer Emily Barr took on a daily creative
challenge that evolved unexpectedly into a deep calling. She shares some of
that journey here, along with an exquisite Valentine's Day gift.
