Nathan DeVaughn '16

Product Manager, adidas

2020 gave us an opportunity to take a deeper look at ourselves and our loved ones. It illuminated areas where people discovered that care was needed. Whether that was self care, care for the environment, or learning how to care for marginalized communities, I saw 2021 as the year to execute on the care we learned about. Words like “self care” sound easy. But I quickly learned that care requires practice, knowing your values, courage, and perseverance. Care is hard.

In February, my grandmother passed away after a long battle with dementia. In her memorial booklet, multiple stories went on about how she lived a very caring life. She cared for my dad and his brother their whole childhoods. Even though I’m sure there was lots of “tough care,” she made them into the men they are today. Then it was my Dad and Uncle’s turn to provide care for my grandmother as her health started to decline. My uncle sacrificed a lot to care and support her to the very end. We finally laid her to rest with care during her funeral.

In Spring of 2021, care was a part of our daily decisions as a family. As vaccines against COVID-19 were distributed; businesses, schools, and restaurants were starting to open. For my family specifically, a lot of care went into deciding what activities we felt safe doing. We also cared to make sure others felt safe. We wore our masks, we distanced, and before meeting up with friends or family we made sure to ask what they were comfortable with. This empathy and care was not easy. We made a TON of sacrifices. Even when people did not give the same level of care to us, we still cared for them by trying to protect them from exposure.

In May of 2021, care came in the form of one of the greatest blessings in life: the birth of my second son, Quincy. Everyone knows the intensive care newborn babies require. Constant check-ups, feeding, and sleeping (or lack thereof). We simultaneously had to care for our 4-year-old, who had a whole separate list of needs. The constant caring sometimes led to sleep deprivation and petty quarrels with my wife. However, we got better at developing rhythms and routines for our care after a few months. We found the right balance of care.

Lastly was the care for the social injustices America faced during the year. Whether it was hate crimes towards the Asian community or the George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery murder trials, all of these cases required care from our family. We cared for the individuals involved. We cared to have conversations about systemic prejudices. We cared to watch those tough discussions in courtrooms to understand them and recognize patterns that can lead to change.

2021 taught me that care is a hell of a lot harder than it sounds. But then I look at how any of those events could have gone without care. Maybe my grandma doesn't even make it to 2021, maybe we cause an exposure to COVID-19, maybe our parenting takes a bad turn, and finally maybe there would not have been justice for George Floyd.

Care can quite literally save lives. I’m glad 2021 gave me the opportunity to care, despite how hard it is.