As we stare down the final weeks of 2020, I feel both sadness and a sense of accomplishment. It is impossible, and surely unwise, to ignore the suffering and destruction that has made this a year to remember, but when it is done, I will also recall how we’ve endured, adapted, and sometimes thrived. We’ve changed our minds, practicing new thought patterns to engage with the world differently, testing the limits of our generosity, our patience, and our independence. The best among us showed their generosity and patience to be boundless, but our beloved American self-sufficiency had its limits; we needed each other more than ever.

There is a traditional Jewish story I’ve used to cheer myself up now and then, and it’s been in my mind quite a bit this year. It is the tale of a person of little means, with a small, one-room house and a large family. Without the space to live comfortably, their spouse and many children are bumping into each other, snoring, disturbing one another, and generally at each other’s throats. Things could not be worse, they think, and so they go to their Rabbi for advice on how to help the family situation. The Rabbi asks if they have any animals. “Yes,” they reply, “We have a cow, a goat and three chickens.” The Rabbi continues, “Then invite them into your house to live with you all.” Maybe you can see where this is going. The poor person brings the animals into the house and they make it more crowded and noisy, and foul- smelling to boot. They return complaining, and the Rabbi instructs them to first remove the chickens, then the goat, and finally the cow, and voila! Suddenly the house seems large, its inhabitants amiable, and life is again manageable and joyful for the family. 2020 has been our barnyard in the house, and I think we’re all looking forward to an ever so slightly less complicated year ahead.

Oakland Yard will be open today for curbside pick-up from 11am until 6pm, and Monique, Crystal, Daniel and I are looking forward to helping you find that special bottle, delectable vittle, or last minute gifts. We’ve even got a handful of spectacular bouquets from Flower & Forage for the early birds. Thank you all for helping to make this holiday season a successful one for Oakland Yard. We hope we never have to do it this way again. We like having you in the shop and look forward to a December when we can embrace one another and stand beside each other, unmasked and smiling. Until then, we are grateful for your support and truly hope that our additions to your holiday table, and the bottles at the foot of your tree, help make it a joyful holiday season for your family as well.

Cheers,
Max