2020 is over. That’s the good news. It was supposed to have been a special year tied to the idea of seeing clearly, planning with perfect vision and sharp focus on the future. But the year 2020 never had a chance. All our great expectations changed when COVID-19 slammed into our world and the whole, entire world. There is hardly anyone whose life didn’t change in some way. We lost our ability to go and do what we love, and enjoy the things we enjoy. We lost seeing our friends, relatives and just the people we don’t really know but wave at anyway. Sadly, in many cases, we lost some people forever. It seemed like this sad year would never leave, but, like the last guest at your party, 2020 finally stumbled out and was gone.
Now 2021 is here. Thank goodness. Nothing catchy about 2021, but it’s a bright, clean sheet of paper, a new start. A deadly health crisis is still with us, but if we do what we need to do, its end is in sight. A long, tiring political year is over. Whether you like the outcome or not, it’s over. So many issues that cause dissension and division are still around, but a new year gives us a chance to stop and honestly reexamine where we are and where we go from here. 2020 was bad, but it reminded us of the strength, compassion, skill and determination this country has to get through bad times.
So now it’s time to stop shaking our heads and repeating all the worn-out negatives. This is a new page, no complaints allowed. We all have been doing too much of that, myself included. Even my dog, Jake, who is normally understanding, is giving me looks that say, “OK, what are we sitting around for? Time to get up and get going!” Good advice. 2021 will be the year we get out of this. Let’s give 2021 the chance that 2020 never had. Let’s take care of ourselves, take care of those around us and take care of our community. Let’s get started.
