“…Next year all our troubles will be miles away.”
Those words were first shared and sung by Judy Garland in the movie “Meet Me in St. Louis” in 1944. They have probably been covered by a thousand musicians since. And at various stages of my life, right around this time of year, they have struck me differently.
The holidays can be beautiful and wonderful times of the year for many, and difficult and painful for others. We tend to think back, look forward, hope for new and different things, and try to remember when things were simpler—or wish for a time when they might be simpler again.
This has been such a challenging year in so many ways. We have lost so much in such little time. And personally, professionally, mentally, physically, emotionally, and beyond—it has taken a toll on everyone. As a local business leader recently said to me, we are all in the same boat trying to stay afloat, yet simultaneously all in drastically different boats rowing against drastically different currents.
As the holidays, the end of the year, and the start of a new year all come flooding at us, I want to take a moment to say thank you on behalf of our entire team at EDC. Investors, partners, board members, and friends—most of our days and all of our work revolves around you. And our core values of integrity, accountability, collaboration, and inclusion are a reflection of who you have challenged us to be.
We have seen so many of you pivot and adapt over the past year to meet the changing dynamics of the world around you. We have all witnessed heroic efforts as local hospitals and healthcare personnel put their own lives on the line to care for, save, and support others. We have cheered on and supported our local biotechnology and research communities as they have enabled more rapid testing, created new technologies and treatments, and contributed to scientific efforts aimed at bringing a vaccine to the world. Our greatest moments have come from seeing so many of you succeed and endure. Our most difficult moments have come (and continue to come) from knowing that so many of the business doors we have seen close will never reopen.
We have tried and worked to be there for you every step of the way just as we know you have all tried and worked to be there for us. No matter how trying or divisive things have become, we’re forever joined in a moment in time that will likely alter the shape and dynamics of our economy and our community for years to come.
As a child, when I first heard Judy Garland sing those words, it made me sad… I could feel sorrow and even fear in her voice. But as I have grown older, I have begun to interpret her tone and message differently; like the words of an old friend popping up this time each year to remind me to never take a day for granted—urging me to remember that no matter how difficult things may seem, there will be a time out there on the horizon when all of our troubles will be out of sight.
So know that as I write this, I am thinking of all of you—and your team members, colleagues, and family members—when I recognize that someday soon, we all will be together. If the fates allow. (And from there, I am guessing you can probably finish the song on your own).
With respect, admiration, thanks, and hope,
–Mark Cafferty