New year?

What can you say about 2020? One for the ages? A horrible year? One to throw away in the trash?

I can think of a few descriptions, some even coming with a certain four-letter word. The year has been crazy. We’ve been forced to hole-up in our homes. For the first time in my life, I did not get to spend time at the holidays with my extended family. I’ve been forced to include words like “flattening the curve” and PPE in my vocabulary. I know friends who’ve lost loved ones to this terrible pandemic.

If that weren’t enough, my family has faced incredible financial and work pressures. My son has had to get used to an entirely different school routine and worries about missing important once-in-a-lifetime milestones.

Like the memes spread across social media earlier this year, I would like to write that I have used my time in quarantine like Sir Isaac Newton, in the summer of 1665 to come up with theories behind Calculus and the law of gravity. I would very much like to write that I ran and wrote everyday. I would like to write that I’ve lost 25 pounds and am on the verge of publishing the great American novel. I would like to say that, but I can’t. No, no, I did what we needed to do to survive the pandemic. 

Despite the craziness of 2020, I prefer to look back on the positives:

—We’re all healthy. I learned in 2020 it’s never wise to take your health for granted. In fact, I got the chance to spend time with the four people I love the most and have been reminded throughout this year on the importance of family. 

–Doing nothing and happy about it. One of the best things about 2020 was the chance to put my ambitious dreams and goals aside for a moment, take everything in, and simply do nothing.

–Enjoying the little things. My wife and I were fortunate one day this summer to wake up early and watch the sun rise on a breezy ocean beach. It was just one day, but I’ve found that the memories of that morning have come back frequently and have been a beautiful escape from the crazy present.

–-Looking to the future. I’ve been reminded too that the challenges we face, serve as a great lesson. We can either wallow in the obstacles or look to the future and overcome. I for one am looking forward to the future.

I’m not sure what the next twelve months will bring, but I’m grateful for the past year and looking forward to the new year. Here’s a wish for a happy new year for everyone.