Temple University professor and mathematician John Allen Paulos once said, “Uncertainty is the only certainty there is and knowing how to live with insecurity is the only security.”

With COVID variants continuously showing up and muddying the water for us towards a clearly defined path to “normal”, it’s important to remember life is never certain or secure (or normal for that fact!). Even looking back as recently as 20 years ago, you can count all the disruptive events that have impacted you or someone you know leaving them in the throes of uncertainty and insecurity—sudden military deployment following 9/11, Hurricane Katrina displacements in 2005, the financial crisis in 2008, etc.

While uncertainty may be certain, in this issue, we spent time with the people, organizations and businesses taking a safe, but resilient stand in the face of a protracted pandemic. 

You’ll read about Amy Cherry Taylor of Avery Hess Realtors and Matthew Rathbun Coldwell Banker Elite who share how the nature of real estate has changed and their industry’s renewed emphasis on supporting the community through exemplary service. You’ll see how public and private schools have navigated the pandemic while ensuring our children’s learning environments remain intact. We also spoke to Eva McDonnell at Revatone Farm, a pre-Civil War era farm turned events venue, about how she navigated the pandemic and how COVID nearly ended her business before it got started. 

May these stories and others within this issue inspire you, comfort you and help you to move through life with confidence no matter what difficulties you may face.