YSC Contributor Appreciation Post
I can't do what Nate did. But Nate did inspire me to share my thoughts on what each of you have given me over the course of the year. It's more than you probably realize.
I'm doing this without taking lots of time to look back at everyone's individual posts, so it's off the top of my head. Here we go:
Allison: Allison is the master of the concise post that felt like it dumped a bucket of cold water on my head. She is a brilliant writer. I have watched, in real time, someone's brain work in an entirely different way from mine when reading her posts, and it's inspired me. I'm also inspired by Allison's career change just a few years ago, when she took a chance on herself and now makes more than she used to. Yes, it's nice to make more money, but it's really nice to take the leap and see it pay off. It's something I'm steeling myself to do soon, but I haven't gotten the courage yet. If I do, you can bet I'll be thinking about Allison along the way.
Brianna: Reading Brianna this year was like drinking a warm cup of tea with a purring cat sitting next to me. I always felt soothed reading Brianna's posts, which is a real accomplishment when you're talking about the filth of camping out at music festivals. Brianna has a real talent for writing in a way that has warming and calming rays of light shining through. It's honestly hard to explain in a way, but I always knew I could settle into her posts. I also loved some of the teacher talk and I can just tell she's good at teaching but is really humble about it too.
Bridget: Bridget was another master of the short post, and brought an enthusiasm to YSC that lifted me up and threw me for a loop. Every time I read a Bridget post, I felt like dancing, regardless of whether it was a song to dance to or not. To know Bridget is to know someone who takes everything she can out of life and enjoys the hell out of it. To know Bridget is to know someone who stands in awe of human life, who brings it into the world and enjoys most seconds of it, but not all seconds of it, because sometimes she'd rather be listening to a "bop."
Gilson: Gilson is a writer who takes on big subjects with a deft tone and a sensitive and smart touch. I was in awe of the way he was able to devastate me within just a few lines. I went to the depths learning about addiction from him, and I felt a brother-esque bond with him in being a fellow someone who swings for the fences. Gilson consistently stayed true to himself musically and personally and pumped out strong musical choice after strong musical choice. I always knew I could count on Gilson for a steady hand and the emotional knockout punch I needed that day.
Joe: What can I say about Joe? YSC gifted me a new Internet Friend this year. At the end of 2024, I can safely say that even though our in-person meetings have been limited, Joe is a Friend, beyond just the level of Internet Friend. A supportive and encouraging and open-minded human who manages to maintain an astronomical level of commitment and dedication to the things he cares about—his family, his friends, the blog, musical appreciation, hating Billy Joel and other hacks. Joe tries to get the best out of everyone, and for that I am very grateful.
Maeve: I felt like I was on the best carnival ride ever when I read Maeve’s posts. There is no one who can match Maeve in embracing who she is and doing it in a way I've never seen anyone else do it. I loved all the things Maeve wrote about, and I stood in amazement as she talked about what a boss she was at her job (told in the most humble of ways). Maeve's dedication to this project was clear even when that presented its challenges, and I felt right there with her, cheering her on, because she deserves it. I will very much miss reading Maeve's posts; she takes a simple gray day and adds endless color to it.
Nate: One only needs to look at Nate's "Year in X" recent posts to realize we are working with a man of commitment, incredible dedication to the people he cares about, and, above all, a truly amazing writer. I stand here in pure awe of Nate's writing voice. The effortless way that he manages to write something a little different every time, to mix it up and still keep giving the people what they want. There were also a few times during this year that Nate's hand seemed to reach through my computer screen and touch my beating heart in ways I never expected. He is a syrup-hearted man who plays a curmudgeon on TV.
Sara: I felt so supported by Sara this entire year. I always knew it was going to be good when Sara commented on my posts. She made me feel good about my dating choices, about my writing about Maryland, and about my life (her comment about "why is every detail about you so funny" was one that will propel me to lean into my life and, yes, write that memoir). I knew beyond a doubt that Sara cared, and that was awesome. But enough about me—Sara's posts were consistently simultaneously off-the-wall and sensitive and grounded and I couldn't get enough of them.
Sunny: I viewed Sunny as the sage observer of this blog throughout this year. He is the one who could take any subject, anything that anyone else wrote about or anything he wrote about, and effortlessly turn it into gold. You never knew what form that gold would take. It was like taking part in the actual Gold Rush—you had to search around a bit before finding redemption—but that redemption found you, and it was a wild and awesome trip. I also really felt loved by Sunny this year—this managed to shine through in his comments, which often weren't the most direct; this allowed them to be infused with unmistakable care.
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"Videotape" is about someone passing into the next world, but it's unclear what their legacy will be in this world as they're leaving it. They encourage the listener to watch the "videotape" they've left behind. Or something like that. And I feel that energy so hard with what YSC has brought me.
Transitions are not easy. There is something that's ending, something big and grand and something good. I shed a tear for that.
I left my entire soul on the pages of PoYB this year, and all of you who have read the posts are familiar with it. That means I'm familiar with all your souls, and leaving that consistent immersion into the life of other people's souls—people who I really like and care about and, dare I say, love?—is such sweet sorrow. I'll miss this. I'll miss all of you.
