Pack your bags and get ready to walk down memory lane, because it’s that time of the year! Hold your horses for the Thanksgiving to Christmas to New Year’s pipeline, which I’m sure we’re all ready for. And no, Black Friday isn’t a real holiday and therefore isn’t included in the pipeline. Will not be taking criticism. 

With Thanksgiving over and Christmas and New Year’s just a couple of weeks from now, a lot of stuff is on our minds. Besides stress, stress, more stress, and stress with a bow on top of it, memories from this year fill our thoughts.

Memories can bring abundant joy to our lives, reminding us of the moments we cherish and hold dearly to our hearts. Although 2021 was quite the year, there were many good memories to be made during it.

When asked about her favorite 2021 memory, senior Trinity Delacruz said, “My favorite memory from this year was when I went on a family road trip to Sedona in July!  I hiked up Bell Rock Vortex with my dad and sister, and the views were immaculate at the top. The energy in Sedona is so nice. It meant a lot to be able to kick back and genuinely spend quality time with my family.”

Katie Fang ‘22 reminisces on her favorite memory, “Besides enjoying valuable moments with friends at school, my favorite memory of this year was seeing one of my dreams come true. I was so lucky to experience my first concert and see BTS in person. They are a symbol of hope in my life and the people I aspire to be like someday.”

Lastly, senior Mary Nassar discusses her favorite experience in 2021: “My favorite memory from this year was going on fall Kairos with some of my really close friends. It was such an incredible blessing to strengthen my relationship with God and strengthen my friendships with my Rosary sisters!” 

The factor that connects all three of these memories is connection. Bare-bone, raw, genuine connection. And I think that at our foundations that’s what we crave the most. Whether it’s connection with nature, family, passions, friends, activities, or etc., we strive to be connected. That’s why memories are so essential to our daily lives. How else would we still be connected to old friends, strangers who made our days with a smile, and places we haven’t been to in a long time?

Continuing on this long tangent of connection, one of the best things about 2021 to me was the ability to connect even deeper with my family and friends. I was able to spend so much time with them that I wasn’t able to before, especially because of how the previous two years went. And while I don’t have a specific ‘favorite’ memory, I’m really proud of where I am and how I’m growing both inside and outside of my relationships. I’m genuinely happy to have the people I have and I’m excited to see what’s to come! 

All in all, I hope we all have an amazing year. Make memories, carpe diem, and have a happy unus annus! (Knew I’d be able to sneak in a reference one of these days.)

So see you next year, readers! In the meantime, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year’s, and Happy Holidays!!!

Here’s to 2022 and the good it will bring!

*Cheers ensue!*