theme explanation

I chose the theme of a sea voyage for the 2022-2023 scrapbook. In keeping with this year's NJCL theme, in which Horace discusses the spirit and fortitude one develops during a journey, namely while rushing across the sea, I thought that a sea voyage nicely matched the imagery of his words. But there's a deeper meaning to this theme. I was reminded of a text that I'd read in freshman English class that was extremely relevant to JCL: Homer's Odyssey. After ten years of trials and tribulations, some of which Odysseus arguably gets himself into, he finally returns home to his tenacious wife and earnest son, who have had struggles of their own. The Odyssey definitely leans into the gory action side of events rather than the tender heartwarming side, but there are loving moments. Odysseus yearns for his family, his life, and his home on Ithaca. His homecoming, in Greek, is called nostos.

Reflecting on the tumult of the past few years, I realized that the CAJCL, in its own way, is reaching its homecoming as well. The deadly pandemic took many lives and locked down essentially the whole world. Everyone experienced a great emotional and mental strain, and the JCL community had some of its sense of togetherness cut off by Zoom. Though our spirit of community did not fade, I sure did miss all of your faces; but now I'm happy to say that I can feel the JCLove more strongly than ever before. I hope that after experiencing the joy of in-person Ludi, SCRAM, and convention, you will feel the same in viewing this year as a nostos after a long voyage.