b'MayorsMessage Eric Zimmerman ezimmerman@NormandyParkWA.govW inter is upon us,of wanting to lay down burdens and move friends! Whenonward towards hopes. For most of human I was a child,existence, this has meant waiting until food or summer was my favoritewater was once again plentiful. Most of us wait season. In my 20s and 30sfor different things today, but not everyone and I liked winter the best, butnot everywhere. when my son was born, IThis year was my best one yet, but also one switched back to likingwith much more adversity than usual. Being in summer most again.government, and especially in Washington, I Before writing thiswitness continual conflicts over ideas and beliefs. article, I was thinkingI see how this constant adversity becomes heavy about why my likes switched back and forth. Iburdens to carry, many of which cant seem to be realized the winter-is-best period of my life wasset down no matter how much someone hopes to. when I was on my own before I started my ownFor all of history people have faced adversity, family. I remember winters with lots of timeperiods of struggle, and periods of renewal. spent indoors with friends.Groups of people who survived I also felt winters wereOne of the ways I am mosttogether and enjoyed the next the doorway between pastyears renewal all depended on and future, where I couldthankful for Normandymoderating their disagreements set down burdens beforePark is that this attitudeduring the difficult times. moving on with thingsThis year Ive been inspired I hoped for. I rememberof disagreeing wellby the governors of Colorado, waiting on hopes which tookseems ever-present in theWyoming, Maryland, and Utah, longer than I wanted.friendliness of neighborswho started a national initiative People worldwide shareto Disagree Better. A central many things in common,and peacefulness of ouridea is that our societys success and every culture we knowcommunity. doesnt depend on everyone from history or today hasagreeing, but it does depend its own way of recognizingon our ability to successfully seasons passing and coming again. Almostdisagree. Treating others with kindness and every society described this as renewal, evenrespect should never include calculation of how along the equator with renewal through a wetfully we agree. season arriving after a dry one. The themeOne of the ways I am most thankful for seems consistent everywhere, alternatingNormandy Park is that this attitude of between burdens and hopes, and confrontingdisagreeing well seems ever-present in the periods of adversity.friendliness of neighbors and peacefulness of our Everyone who has lived shares the experiencecommunity. As we head into 2026, I am thankful of adversity, however long their life is. A day orfor all of you, my neighbors, in the City of sometimes a week may go by without it, but notNormandy Park. I wish you a happy end to 2025, a month or a year. Everyone knows the feelingand hope you have a plentifully happy 2026.4 Normandy Park City SceneWinter 2026'