What a brutal year 2020 has been and, sadly, I expect that 2021 will begin very much as 2020 ended. We could all use a break but, many of us are willing to do nothing to earn one.
This time last year, Covid-19 was something that was happening in China with isolated outbreaks in Europe. The Ass-Clown who will soon be the former President was as usual, lying to the American people and himself.
Susan and I would soon be leaving for New Orleans to meet our friends from New Zealand, Carol and Letina. We had a great long weekend and it was one of the last fun things that we did.
February brought a quick day trip to Huntsville to meet Chris, Steve and Madison as they prepared for their soon to be cancelled trip to Spain. I know the cancellation really took the wind out of Chris’s sails. No one could imagine what was lurking just around the corner.
March brought the diagnosis that my father had Cancer, a rare and aggressive form. He became very ill just as the first wave of CV-19 was washing over Texas. A very sad and hard time for my family.
March also brought the first stay-at-home order which was certainly new to everyone. One of the last times we met friends was the weekend before the S-A-H was in place, we went to celebrate March birthdays at Café Momentum.
Through April and May, the new reality set in. No cars on the streets, walkers were out which I hope is one of the things that we continue after all of this. I hope we get out more and drive less, without the masks would be nice.
Mid-June, my father passed away. I’ve covered that in earlier posts. Birthdays and holidays have been hard. I know that time will take the jagged edges off my pain but, right now it still hurts.
Summer offered a brief reprieve but probably set us up for what was to come. While the environment was a bit safer, warmer, more outdoors, people let down their guard and some believed it was a hoax. Some still do.
In the U.S. and probably the rest of the World, our attention turned to the upcoming elections, an opportunity to right a mistake made in 2016, a serious mistake. Still, ignorant politicians downplayed the virus and forced people to stand in long lines to vote. They did this, risked their health to be rid of Donald Trump.
Now, after Thanksgiving and Christmas where people just couldn’t no, wouldn’t stay home wave upon wave of illness has beset the United States as well as the rest of the world. Hospitals are full and care will soon be rationed. If I were a petty man, I’d say that if you did nothing to protect yourself, you go to the tent in the parking lot and we’ll do the best we can. I realize that’s not a compassionate thought but still…
So 2020, a dire year in the big picture. However, I have found positives. I hope to focus on them in the coming months.
First, with help and guidance I’ve rediscovered the value of meditation. While I’ve dabbled in in almost all my life, I missed the real value. Instead of using it as a response to a problem or issue, I’m trying to adopt it as a more holistic part of my life. So far, I like the results and stay tuned.
As I’ve written often, I’ve accepted that I too am a spiritual person. My spirituality probably would not be recognized by a religious person who does not know me, it has nothing to do with any divine being. It has to do with me and who I am and where I fit in the world and how I can be a better person in this world. It’s about acceptance, caring, calm and joy. I’m sure that my religious friends may recognize some of these things, the difference is that I am responsible for my actions both good and bad.
I know that I’ve both failed and succeeded in my friendships and that I must work harder at this. That’s a good thing, we sometimes take these things for granted. I won’t again.
I’ve learned or was reminded not to take people and opportunities for granted and to cherish every moment. As I write this, I’m sitting in a hospital room with a friend who’s sadly suffering from a fall. Cherish each moment.
Finally, I’ve come to peace with my decision to retire in a couple years…I hope I have anyway. I suppose I’ll have time to reflect on my decision soon.
While 2020 has sucked, if you look hard enough and reevaluate what is good and bad, there are always little gems to be found. Sometime they’re personal and harder for others to see. Other times, they’re obvious for all to see.
Yes, 2020 had some good aspects but, I am really looking forward to 2021, it has to be better…please.