Dear reader,

 

              When a person is filled with such immense emotion that they cannot convey it through words, they create. Often, our best work is created in moments of struggle, strife, or joy. We create snapshots– brief looks into who we were at a moment in time, and then leave that moment behind– just words or brushstrokes on a page. We dream, in our creation, that someday someone will see what we have made, and share those experiences with us. This year, The Loom has curated a true menagerie of moments, across a wide variety of lived experiences– giving just one example of the beauty and complexity that stems from diversity and creativity.

              We are so incredibly proud of our editors, staff, and writers who came together to create, collect, and share this unflinchingly honest group of moments with you. The Loom is truly a labor of love, and we are so thankful for all who come together to make it possible. We also want to extend our gratitude to you. Whether you are reading this journal to support a friend, family member, or you just found it sitting on a table somewhere, we thank you for taking the time to live through these moments with us. We hope that you are able to find connections to your own life and experiences within these pages.