Klipsun Magazine, 2021, Volume 51 Issue 4 - Summer

Dear Reader, I've always felt a sense of liveliness in the summer months. The days grow longer, steeped in endless sunshine and freedom. But as we approach our second pandemic summer, it seems as if we're experiencing quite the opposite effect. There's nothing more universal than the hardships, stagnation and emptiness we've endured throughout some of the bleakest years in human history. Perhaps you're like me -- constantly coping, doing your best to adapt when the terrain turns rough, feeling as if hope is scarce in supply these days. Global pandemics, countless losses and brutal injustices can take their toll on all of us. And yet, the thing with hope is that it is persistent. It has the potential to exist even in the face of adversity. Month after month, I witnessed my staff and writers embrace unprecedented change. Interviews were conducted at a distance or through computer screens, faces were concealed by masks. We sifted through heartache to deliver catharsis and found what made us feel limitless. Among these pages are stories filled with vulnerability, healing and introspection. You'll find narratives that illuminate those who are making a difference in communities and artwork to inspire you in between. We have sought to capture a profound moment in time; capsules of memory illustrating raw truths and strength that transcends our limitations. As we navigate this uncertainty, my hope for you, reader, is to find the silver linings -- courage, resilience, joy -- enough to make your soul feel alive within this ever-changing world. Yours Truly, Christa Yaranon Editor-in-Chief