So, I know that this is going to be an unpopular opinion. And that's ok. I understand that for many people, 2020 was terrible. Especially the folks that lost loved ones during the year, regardless of the cause of death. And folks having their own health issues, as well as any one of the myriad things that can go awry in one's personal life. You want to know the truth though? 2020 was not that bad. Weird, yes. Crazy- absolutely. But for me? Not that bad. Wearing masks suck. Gowning up in all the required garb for Covid positives and suspected patients- a panic attack in the making. Not being able to breath due to a mask- been there, still doing that. Honestly though- all in all, this has not been that terrible of a year for me and a lot of others. In fact, a lot of it was good. Many of us just don't want to believe that.
Think about it though: many families got their first real time together in months, if not years. Parents found out how cool their kids actually are. Kids found out that their weird parents are actually kinda neat. (They may not admit out loud though).
We revisited the past, to see how our ancestors handled quarantine and plagues. We remembered people long forgotten, and said their names. People made time to listen the elderly's wisdom. The elderly chose to use this to encourage others.
Dogs got to on lots of walks! Kitties got extra cuddle time.
Folks have finally had the time to listen to what their body and heart are actually telling them.
We learned to play again, and how to just enjoy a day for being a day.
People learned to cook, and to appreciate a homecooked meal. Even how to be grateful for the homecooked meals that were more failed attempts than anything else.
And we all appreciate eating in a restaurant a whole lot more. And going inside of a store was more of a treat and less of a chore, in some cases. In a lot situations, people have been more polite, and dusted off their manners.
We all learned to look at the world around us with a new perspective.
And to try to see things from each others' point of view.
We learned to kick our feet up and just relax for a change.
And had a chance to dress however we wanted for a change.
Nature was given a chance to start to heal from all that our busyness and greed has done to damage it. Some animals have had a chance to thrive. People learned to be excited when they saw a wild animal, and how to recognize the birds their backyard.
My coworker's wife had a baby girl, and a friend had twin babies! Babies were still born, still took their first steps. First days of Kindergarten still happened, as did high school graduations, and freshman college classes. Perhaps different from the norm, but these major milestones were still reached.
Bunny prints in the snow still occurred. And snow- snow coated everything, good and ugly, in a glorious, brilliant white that glistened as though a 4 year-old was given glitter and told to go wild with it!
We have started to realize how amazing the other people sharing this clump of dirt are. People started finding creative ways to show others love, and lift each others' spirits. People actively sought out ways to give others hope, and took the time to implement it as well.
People learned how to let the caring King/Queen inside of his/herself to shine through.
We found things in common with those around us- like our common hatred of masks. And Covid. And the word "quarantine."
We learned to enjoy the view from our own porch, in all kinds of weather.
And to see the beauty in how the same small area can still change so much.
Above photo taken by Kirstie Swisher.
We learned to be there for each other, as some died, and others had to learn how to live without their loved one.
Long overdue heart to hearts took place.
Relationships grew stronger.
Many got their first chance to slow down and rest in a long time. Others continued to do so, guilt free.
We learned to appreciate those around us, regardless of who they were, what job they did, what they looked like, and their political views. We learned to simply appreciate them, and remember that we can learn from each other.
New friendships were formed between former strangers.
Old friendships were rejuvenated.
We learned to adapt. And how to effectively hide from vacuum cleaners. :)
We all realized that oftentimes, the littlest things really are the big things.
More pets than ever found new homes!!!
We all became a lot more understanding of each other, even when we did not understand. We learned that we are all human, and we all need grace, forgiveness, and a little understanding.
We took the time to actually see the beauty, majesty, and incredibleness of God's hand in our lives and the world all around us. That alone is a miracle.
Don't get me wrong- I look forward to when we can freely go about our lives again. I miss going places without being judged for not wearing a mask where not required. I miss seeing everyone else's smiles, and not worrying about whether I will make my loved ones sick if I hug them. But this life is still so incredible. When we take the time to- or are forced to- stop and look around us, we finally see a tiny fraction of how blessed we are really are. We get to see God's thumbprints all around us, in the laugh of a baby, the purr of cat, the faces of our families and friends, the excitement of a dog when their owner comes home, the way the frost makes little raised polka dots on a car door- the list could go on for eternity!
And that is not even counting the thousands of miracles and blessings, little and big, that surround all of us each and every day of our lives. All in all, I'd say that 2020 was weird, different, hectic, even a bit of a disaster at times. But, in my unpopular opinion, it was still a good year. Life went on, and exciting things happened. My sister started a new job she enjoys. I got accepted into a college with a paramedic to RN bridge program. Mom gets to come home from work and tell us all of the antics of the little ones from the daycare. We received some surprise time with Dad. Life has always been a combination of good and bad; without the bad, we would never thankful for the good. We would be unable to recognize it, and would take it all for granted. And look at all of the amazing pictures, stories, and people that have risen out of this debacle of a year. So, I'll stick with my unpopular opinion, thank you. And I hope you are willing to see the good, as well as the bad, in every day, as well as every year. Perhaps, we should do as Smokey did; just because our normal is turned on its side, that doesn't mean that we can't enjoy the very changes we usually despise so very much.
