2020 is over and it felt like THE longest year ever.

I don’t think there is anything I can say about 2020 that hasn’t been said before, but I’ll try anyway. How do you give meaning to something that has been as crazy as 2020?

You could probably ask ten people what the year was like for them and you’ll likely get ten different answers. So, for me, 2020 will always be remembered as a year filled with so much confusion, sadness, fear, anger, and ultimately hope. 

It’s strange to think at this time last year, my birthday was nearing, but I wasn’t worried about that because I was too consumed with the fact that my high school senior was having a bunch of “lasts.” Soon I would have to say goodbye to my baby (because she will always be my baby) and everything would be different.

Different. Yep. I had no idea what I (or any of us) was in for. I thought her graduating from high school and leaving for college would be all I would contend with for 2020.

IF ONLY!

As I prepared for typical motherly changes…I (and the rest of humanity) were hit with a global pandemic that has, to date, killed over 1.8 million people worldwide per Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. 1.8 MILLION!! The devastation of this virus seems unending. What initially felt like the premise to a horror movie turned out to be our reality.

Not that you’re unaware, but to recap, this virus has alienated families, created an economic crisis, and taken loved ones away.

It has changed the way we live our daily lives. I don’t think I’ve ever washed my hands as much as I do now. Nor have I ever been as jumpy when I hear a cough or a sneeze a mile away. It’s crazy!

Our children have had to learn virtually while parents transitioned from offices to working from home AND becoming teacher/counselor/playmate. Teachers have been asked to do the nearly impossible task of educating remotely with little support from the government. Businesses began operating via Zoom calls and email while families relied on FaceTime just to see each other. Empty churches started offering services via YouTube and Facebook for the faithful and essential workers stepped up to help make things easier for the rest of us.

Over the last 9-ish months, social media has become even more of a staple than it already was. (Honestly, I’d already feared for our youth’s reliance on SM, and yet THIS is THE way to communicate and avoid getting sick.) 

So while the world turned upside down, something else happened…I hope we found the silver lining. I don’t mean that to sound cavalier or patronizing. I know that MANY have lost loved ones to this virus. It hurts my heart to know that I have commented on numerous posts with the words, “I’m so sorry for your loss.” I have been fortunate that no one close to me has lost their life to this, but I know a lot of friends who have, and that is sad.

We have taken advantage of what the pandemic brought to our life. In my home, we operated at a slower pace. My husband has been working from home since March. Our daughters finished their 2019-2020 school year online. My oldest and my niece both graduated high school. I got to spend so much time with my kids who will soon be out of our house – time I would not have gotten otherwise. Prior to the pandemic, my husband would spend weeks out of the month traveling for work. Instead, we transformed (and by transformed, I mean we moved a twin bed) the guest bedroom into his home office so he could get some work done.

I (selfishly) got to have uninterrupted time with my husband and daughters. The four of us got to play games and work on the house while we adopted a new normal. We shopped, watched movies, tried new recipes, laughed, cried, and everything in between. We created memories that I will carry with me forever.

I saw more of my sister, brother in law, niece and nephew than I’ve seen in probably the last two years. We went to the lake together, the kids hiked, sang, played games…I mean, it was a blessing. These kids became closer than they ever have been. My sister and I made charcuterie trays (okay okay…she did…I just ate them), we watched movies, we floated in the water, we drank, we talked more meaningfully than we have in years.

The way we celebrate major holidays has been different, but leave it to my mom and dad to make it a really special day. Our Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings were spent outdoors on beautiful days where the ten of us enjoyed our time and thankful for the chance to spend some time together. They have a huge covered patio where we sit socially distanced near a fire and visit without a timer telling us it’s time to go. It is my getaway and it’s only 20 minutes from home. We visit my grandfather who loves to sit under his magnolia and while we talk about anything.

My family has been become closer – even when we’ve been pushed apart for safety reasons because of this virus. I am so thankful God gave me the chance to slow down and take stock of what means most to me. My family is my rock. I love them so much.

I’m in awe of the heroes – heroes who have always been there – who have sacrificed themselves to help others. I am thankful for these individuals who show up and sacrifice time with their own families to take care of those who are sick. I’m sorry that some people refuse to do the simple things like wearing a mask or limiting gathering sizes while the frontline workers work so hard – but that’s not what this is about.

I don’t want to end 2020 on a pessimistic note, I want to find the good. So thank you to those in the medical community who have spent tireless days and nights to help others. Thank you to the teachers who have had to work against insane constraints to teach our kids during a strange time. Thank you to the essential workers who have gone to work and stocked shelves, serving others, and done it with a smile in your eyes (because I can’t see your face…but your eyes are smiling). Thank you to those who are doing their part to see this awful time come to and end.

I have hope that this year, we will be celebrating a successful end to this crisis and that we (all of us) will find that we are better to each other.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

XO
~T

*End It on This – No Doubt…because I love it