Z is for Zed

March 9, 2026

Zed - the final letter of the alphabet in most countries who use the Latin/German based alphabet.

But not in the US!

Some sources say that Noah Webster, in his 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language, was the first prominent supporter of using the letter Zee. Some suggest that he did this as a marker of the relatively recent independence of the US from England - let’s be different! - and also because Zee rhymed with so many other letters of the alphabet.

Whatever. Hearing Larry and his Canadian family use Zed, and reading their letters that include references to colours, favours, and behaviours has been such fun. The more time I spend with them, the more I notice and appreciate subtle differences between our cultures. We can learn so much from people whose ways are different from ours - and when we let ourselves do this, we make our individual and communal lives much richer.

Anyway. Zed. This is the final post of the series that I started way back in May 2025 - a series in which each of its posts was based on a word or concept starting with the particular letter of the alphabet. It has been lots of fun, and often challenging, to do this.

I have been thinking a lot about endings. It often feels like the culture that I have known throughout my life is changing drastically and rapidly, that what I thought was a pretty civil society (with many flaws, yes), based on the rule of law and the Constitution and basic values of kindness and generosity (yes, I know, not everywhere) is ending.

Endings, especially those not chosen, can be scary. I am unsettled by the callousness, dishonesty, and cruelty that are pushing us toward what feels like a horrible ending. I feel grief and am unsettled by deep uncertainty.

I know other cultures, nations, have had these experiences, much more often, more devastating, and longer-lasting.

I also know that many have come back from these dark times - thinking right now of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and of the light and growth that came after that momentous event.

One thing I try to do when I get worried is think about the long view of time and the small incremental changes that come across many years that we barely notice but that cumulatively lead to huge shifts in how we think and behave. We are not where we should be yet, and at times are definitely regressing, but we HAVE made some progress.

Think about it! Many many many Americans are fighting against misogyny, racism, income inequality, police violence, ableism, anti-LGBTQ behaviors, sexual violence, and climate change and destruction of the environment every day in ways that we could not have imagined in mid-20th century. And every day, even in these hard times, we see examples of exceptional kindness, courage, and generosity. Are we all the way there yet? No. But progress has been made.

I am reading Rebecca Solnit’s newest book - and will end this series of posts with its wise and hopeful title…

THE BEGINNING COMES AFTER THE END.

Endings are happening all the time, small ones and big ones, and so are beginnings. Look for the good small changes around you and know that they mean something.

It has been such a joy spending the last several days with Dad. Tuesday is day one of our 2026 road trip which will include time in Galveston, South Padre Island, San Antonio, and Austin. Hikes, birds and turtles, beaches, river walks, missions, good food, wonderful conversations and music in the car, and Tara (my niece) and Cooper’s wedding celebration with family and friends are all ahead!

Photo: “If Only We Could See What Is Ahead”

Lexington Arboretum