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I read a book to my kids called, "How Full is Your Bucket?"
I already know the answer, Santa Clarita, but I'll ask anyway... How full is your bucket?
2020 was a lot.
But as I sit here, just days into 2021, I realize that for a few months now my bucket has been empty. The day-to-day pivots in humanity, parenthood, business and the loss of stretch in my stretchy pants was one thing - but the losses of great loves have been another.
In November, I lost a woman who, for well over two decades, was a mentor and like a mother to me - and our community lost arguably our most well-known philanthropist.
Cheri Fleming's passing ended up being one of too many.
The last week of 2020 seemed to keep wringing us and the losses kept coming. Some older - and were lives very well lived - some younger - and lives gone way too soon.
The day before we rang in the New Year, we lost a member of our Inside SCV family, Rob McFerren - co-owner of Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewery and the number-one reason craft beer is cool.
I'm fully, painfully aware that our town lost so many great loves this year.
Children have lost parents - we need to be their village.
Parents have lost children - we need to be their shoulders.
If you are hurting too, know that I see you and feel you. Know that many of us do. Know that you are not alone in your pain.
Every loss matters.
But when it's your loss, it matters more to you.
And when that loss isn't just yours, but your entire community's, it feels bigger.
Too big, if we're being honest.
The holes left by our great loves - they're wide and gaping because it feels like they have been ripped away when we needed them the most.
These are the voices we want to hear when in crisis. These are the people we turn to when things go wrong.
And they're not here to tell us how to move forward without them.
I had sent someone a message right after Cheri passed stating that I would spend more time honoring Cheri than I would ever spend mourning my personal loss.
We've all got to be a little Cheri right now and remind ourselves that it's always a great day to have a great day. We have all been given so many lemons but my Cheri knew how to make lemonade; she knew how to fill cups. She left me the recipe!
You know who else filled a cup like no other - or, more specifically, growlers and pint glasses? Rob. Rob made and poured the best - and found such joy in sharing his gift.
I have always used this sign off: My cup runneth over. I would like to make 2021 a year we fill each other's cups back up.

XOXO, Jeanna

IN MEMORIAM
In honor of her lifetime of contributions, the Fleming family has asked colleagues, friends and loved ones to consider making a gift to the Cheri Fleming Legacy Fund. All donations will directly contribute to aiding Soroptimist's mission of helping women and girls around the world live their dreams.
soroptimist.org/cherifleming.html