I think this just might be the perfect opportunity to use the idiom “A little birdy told me.” I don’t want to reveal my source of information, but I do want to get the word out. So let’s just pretend I heard this tidbit of information mysteriously as if I were some sort of Disney princess getting gossip from woodland creatures.

Although she resides across town lines as a West Tisbury flatlander, consider this a neighborly call out to friends and wonderful acquaintances of Ann Burt. On Friday, Jan. 9, Ann will have completed a most memorably nine decades meandering, or more like stomping, her way around the Earth. It seems she has emphatically declined anything resembling a raucous party, so flooding her snail mailbox with birthday wishes seems like the right thing to do. The birdie has asked that I not share Ann’s mailing address with the wide open internet world so you can take your chances and simply address to Ann Burt West Tisbury, Ma. 02575, or you can reach out to me and I will reveal the details. Thank you for joining in the fun to celebrate this ice cream sandwich eating woman with the keenly honed sense of humor.

The Oliver clan (Liz, Kevin, Solon, Barrett, Delilah and Hollis) made a quick decision to get away for some fun in the sun of Florida while strolling alongside Micky, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Pluto and more. Liz, like many parents of adult-ish children, agrees that traveling with them rises to a whole different thrill level. Gone are the days of pushing strollers, worrying about nap times, hoping everyone meets the minimum height requirement for rides and more. They are back, refreshed and still wearing smiles.

Community dinners, to which all are welcome, continue at the Chilmark Church. This past Tuesday, Sarah and Stefan Laux whipped up chili for all. Next Tuesday at 6 p.m., Janet Stoddard will share roast turkey with all the fixings. The more the merrier at these fun and festive gatherings.

Navigating the human emotional landscape where the intersection of joy and profound sorrow create an emotionally complex experience is a test to the human capacity to hold conflicting feelings simultaneously. This intricate navigation of conflicting feelings is a testament to our capacity for resilience in the face of life’s multifaceted experiences.

My condolences go out to the family of Natty Schneider. Gone too soon, he was a regular at the Texaco fuel dock each summer. He’d always chat about what fish he was after that particular day, what lure they seemed to be hitting on or simply what snack might quell the rumbling in his stomach while out on the water. His absence will be missed from the shores of the Vineyard to the back country of Wyoming and everywhere in between.

Heartfelt condolences also go out to the families of Tricia Bergeron and Roy Scheffer. They say that grief is just love with nowhere to go. I think that may mean the love you felt for them doesn’t vanish, but it pools in your heart and needs an alternative outlet. May we all be encouraged to find our outlets in Tricia and Roy fashion — strengthen our family bonds, volunteer with local charities, love fiercely and definitely laugh both hard and often.

Isaiah, Emma, Matteus, Brayden, Odin, Jeremy, Isabelle, Vera, Maya and the rest of the family — may you find solace in recognizing the continued energy of loved ones, see signs and synchronicities as continued presence and know that we are all here to prop you up should ever you need it.

May this year bring peace to tired hearts, hope to those who feel forgotten, and heal what words couldn’t. You are your life’s author and you can write an incredible story.