Putting 2020 in the Rear View Mirror

Merry Christmas and a Hopeful New Year 

By Molly Exum

2020 has been hard for all of us — full of pain & loss for so many of our friends & family. My Dad passed away January 4, 2020. We lost one of my Mom’s younger brothers, our beloved Uncle David, in October. We haven’t been able to gather, visit, grieve, worship or celebrate together. And while we yearn to be together again, our current political climate seems to distance us even further. It has been gut-wrenching & heartbreaking. I miss hugging & traveling & potlucks. I miss the very idea of going to a sold out concert, musical or football game. I. Miss. All. The. Things. I miss truth & civil discourse. I miss compassionate leaders who welcome different voices, opinions & ideas & who know that freedom of the press is the lifeblood of a democracy. We all miss Papa & Uncle David. We are all weary.

But when I take a moment to look closely, I see so much good in the world. I see people putting aside their political disagreements & working together to help neighbors who have lost their jobs or their homes, to help a mom pay for internet so her children can attend school via zoom & to help families during Christmastime. I see God at work. I’m thankful for the extra time Steve, Bella, Sawyer, Murphy & our new puppy, Cooper, have been able to spend together at home. I’m hopeful & grateful for each new sunrise. And I will forever be thankful for those working on the frontlines who put others before themselves every single day.

God bless you all & may we all enter 2021 with a thrill of hope & open hearts full of joy, gratitude & goodwill. We’re all in this together.

Merry Christmas from Molly, Steve, Bella, Sawyer, Murphy & Cooper

 

Molly Exum – Family Wrangler 
Sawyer Exum – TP Tosser 
Bella Exum – Filmmaker 
Steve Exum – Photographer & Jeep Wrangler 
Murphy Exum – Co-pilot 
Cooper Exum – Co-Co-pilot 
 Rodney Hogan – Assistant Photographer 
 Rob Edwards – Illustrator  
Bella Martin -Body Double
 Rafe Grimball – Assistant 
 Oscar Vital – Assistant 
Nell Geer – Assistant 
Thank you to Carl Wilburn for loaning us the 1984 Jeep CJ7    

This year we wanted to produce a card that  encompassed much of 2020 visually, was hopeful for the future and inspiring. The card is truthful and meaningful to us while maintaining a quirky zanniness that is very Exum. Our team at Exum Photography wishes you peace, joy and prosperity throughout the coming year. Thank you for your continued support and friendship. We hope you enjoy the Exum Family Christmas card and keep a check on our website and blog in the coming year.