Looking for inspiration? Find it in our youth.

The last few weeks in this column have been devoted to the metaphor of springtime and its relevance to our community. During the fall and winter periods of 2020, the Armenian nation suffered the horrific and debilitating losses of the Artsakh War. The loss of human life and territory experienced was, for this generation, an unfortunate connection to 1915. Invading Turks, human suffering and removal from some of our historic lands were repeated. The tragedy has been further compounded by the inability of an ambivalent world to harness the illegal and inhuman work of those with evil intent. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has added a hovering dark cloud that stubbornly refuses to dissipate and reduces our communities to “virtual” entities. It truly has been a winter of despair. 

Just as we experience the baring of leaves and the slumber of plant life every year, God in His wisdom has provided for an annual renewal called spring. With the passage of winter, new life appears in our midst with vibrant colors all around. We all feel energized as we view the beauty of our landscapes. As Armenian Christians, we are blessed with the season of Christ’s Resurrection and the hope that results. Even the horrible cloud of the COVID-19 crisis is lifting as the miracle of vaccines gains momentum and life as we knew it slowly returns. April is also a bittersweet time for the Armenian nation as we remember the Genocide of our nation and place special emphasis on the pursuit of justice. It is a year-round job but takes on a unique role in the spring. This year, our anxiety turned to joy as the United States formally recognized the atrocities as Genocide. This has important political and legal ramifications going forward, but it immediately provided our community with a collective sense of joy. Before we leave this spring of 2021, there is, as famed radio commentator Paul Harvey used to say, “the rest of the story.” There is a common thread that has been emerging and was very visible this year. I am referring to the presence and leadership of our young generation.