One year. What can happen in a year? Everything and nothing all at the same time, it appears.

One year ago, we brought our boys... our young men now... to school. We gave them the admonishment to pick up anything that they needed. Clear your lockers. Then we said to take a good look around, because you may not be back (for our oldest, ever).

Our sons have never been back to that school. And they will never go back. Part of that was that they are bright young men and they tested up a grade. They adapted to the virtual world and ran with it, never missing a literal beat.

We are thankful for organizations such as Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth, Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, and Rhode Island Children's Chorus. Without these (and a few others), we don't know what we would have done.

At Made From RI, we also did a bit of a pivot. We have taken a broader perspective. We have brought in Rhode Island made items to make people smile. Other items are to make lives more efficient. And most of all, with more people, home more often, items to make the home more welcoming.

Our Made From RI social media presence has also taken a turn. We have spent some time offering a significant thought and smile. We try to offer something philosophical and encouraging day to day. It's sort of "ringing the entry bell" for the online business.

What will come for this next year? Like the last, we don't know in all honesty. But we do know that we will hold to Rhode Island's Motto, "Hope".

Made From RI/Made From RI Gallery