For us, 2020 got off to a great start. In the first 11 weeks of the year, we took a wonderful Mexican vacation, our grandson was born and DD (youngest daughter) started a new job as a barista.
Then… the pandemic struck. Right after our grandson’s much anticipated birth on March 13th, everything went into a COVID lock-down. Suddenly we were working remotely, activities and gatherings of all kinds were cancelled, restaurants and cafe’s closed and furloughed workers (including DD). It was a dramatic and sudden shift which we originally thought would last a few weeks or a couple months at most. Almost 10 months in, and we are just now starting to see light at the end of this long and painful tunnel.
The suffering and loss of human life has been devastating. So far our family has been very fortunate. Despite salary cut-backs and DD’s job loss we are OK financially and have remained virus free. Dan and DD each had serious injuries this year (unrelated to the virus), but both have recovered well.
My oldest daughter’s household is one of many juggling impossible demands every day: teaching and working from home, virtual learning for twin second-graders, and the demands of a very active baby. I help out when I can – always coming away with a new appreciation for challenge of virtual learning for teachers and students, and for the amount of physical energy required to keep up with a busy baby!
While understanding and agreeing with the reasons for keeping away from friends and family—it takes an emotional toll. Like everyone, we miss going to events and get-togethers. We are getting a little tired of each other’s company: although our mutt, Cleo, is thrilled to have her peeps at home. I am fortunate to be able to work from home and to be able to continue to play tennis. Seeing my tennis friends (masked and keeping our distance on the court) has been a balm to my soul.
2020 brought us the horror of George Floyd’s murder with a renewed resurgence of racial tensions, marches and riots. Our ongoing National Shame of systemic violence against people of color in our country was painfully evident in 2020.
Then, there was the election: the election that just may (?) save our Democracy from the tRumpster. Time will tell. For myself, the emotional toll of the tRump Administration has been as draining and as the toll taken by the Corona Virus.
I hope that 2021 is the inverse of 2020–With a difficult start, a gradual return to a new normal, and ending with joyous and safe holiday gatherings. Hopefully we will be able to leverage the lessons learned in 2020 in a positive way, leaving us more appreciative and grateful for even the smallest of blessings in our lives .
Happy New Year!