What a strange and bizarre time we have been living in 2020. As my husband joked, “Whoever thought we could enter a bank with a mask on and not get shot?” A pandemic, isolation from our friends and family, social distancing, many working and teaching from home, ordering food and supplies online, which has become the norm. I long for the day I can face the world without a mask in a crowd, to hug and kiss without fear, and to hop on a plane to visit my family out of state.
Most of my friends and family have practiced their smiling faces, chins up, and all that positive stuff until they are blue in the face. It has been a weary nine months of trying to hold it together. It has been sad not to visit friends/family with the virus, sick in the hospital with no visitors; others have died of natural causes with no funerals; friends tragically lost family members due to mental health issues and a general blanket of fear smothered us all.
The upside for many included mastering Telehealth appointments, Zoom and FaceTime, as older and younger generations bridged the distance with social connections. Text messages, family Facebook threads, and just checking in became a regular occurrence, perhaps due to the fact we did not take any life for granted anymore. I cannot ever remember being able to say, we are all in the same boat with something this dramatic that could affect anyone, regardless of religion, color, ethnicity, political persuasion, or age.
Thankfully, none of my family or friends have lost their lives due to Covid, but many have been sick. With hospitals overflowing, no one wants to be in for any medical surprises, but three of my family members had to have emergency surgeries or procedures. The overwhelming dedication of those on the frontline will never be forgotten, and we all know many. Thankfully, the future looks bright with the arrival of the vaccine.
I am thankful for many things this year. Summer in Michigan and winter in Florida allowed me to enjoy biking, walking, and pool aerobics outside in great weather. An outdoor deck in Florida and a screened porch and boat in Michigan allowed me to enjoy outdoor dining and boating. Golf was safe to play, because it was outdoors, so our Michigan course enjoyed the best season in years.
Living in nightwear or leggings was not frowned upon. I saved on makeup, clothing, and dining out because I stayed in. I straightened my teeth, grew my hair, took care of my skin,
and exercised more. I read more books, watched more movies and my house was never more cleaned or organized. I also subscribed to some instant meal deliveries, which were cheaper than dining out! Guilt-free living!
Gas was cheap, but most did not travel. My newly-retired husband and I were fortunate to take a month trip in our car in September when kids returned to school (online and in-house.) We were impressed with the safety protocols instituted in hotels and dined outdoors in great weather while visiting the National Parks across our great country. (To the left is ex-camper and legendary Sue Purdue Tanner, who we enjoyed lunch with us on our trip through Montana.)
Many of my friends and family were not able to stay home but worked all through these trying times. They all deserve a round of applause. My heart goes out to many of my friends and family who lost jobs, closed businesses, and had to stay home with no childcare relief to teach their children, with no breaks.
2020 was like a war, where we all hid from the enemy, hoping the enemy did not find us. I hope that all who read this have more positives than negatives from this “war”; that 2021 brings health and happiness to each of your families and that we all come out stronger, smarter, and love our friends and family more than ever. Camping is fun, but not from our houses!