Today is the first day of the New Year. 2021 what will this year entail?
2020 started out in the usual way with fireworks at midnight at a friend’s place where we were able to hug and kiss the New Year in. Food of course was amazing. 2021 tiptoed into the year in near silence.
When I think of 2020 I think of endurance through tough times that was called Covid19. I think of family missed physically. I think of new skills learned to be able to see family, friends and my groups fairly often on messenger and Zoom. I think of endless days puttering around in the gardens and reading books with picnic lunches under the trees. We had some get together’s outdoors with friends for a meal at Pinecroft or a walk on the Beach at Port Stanley. We travelled in our RV to local RV parks where we could take our dogs and still social distance.
From the first sign of closures my Forest City Toastmasters group went right on Zoom. Though it was not the same as in person, it definitely filled a need to see my friends again. In some ways people were reaching out for these connections and we had many new members join. Even if they had moved from London they would still join us. Zoom became the norm for my yoga classes through Wellspring. I missed in person, but appreciated being able to keep up my physical health. Long distance Reiki was sent to Wellspring members and to my own clients. I also was able to assist in teaching “How to Deal with Chronic Pain” through Zoom on a 6 week course through the Southwest Management Program.
Two trips had to be cancelled to New Orleans and to the East Coast. I may be able to recoup other times and places in 2022. Time will tell on that one.
2020 was being at home a lot and spending more time with my husband and the dogs. We were thankful to have our girls here as they entertained us so much. As I mentioned in my last blog Freckles had been sick with cancer. Yesterday we took her to the Vets for the last time. I know many of you have had pets and know how this feels. It’s a gut punch, and a feeling your heart is being ripped in two. There are so many things that you miss. Freckles always followed us around. She had to make sure we were o.k. She would be on the couch looking out the window to wait for your return from a shopping excursion. She had a dog bed in the hallway upstairs that she often rested on especially when Jim and I were in our offices. She and River got along for the most part, but would have words at times always Freckles going for River’s food! It is super quiet without Freckles as she always had something to say to you. She reminded us of meal times and when she needed her cookie before bedtime. She was very persistent and would ramp it up if you ignored her. She always made us laugh at her antics. Dogs never seem to let on they are in pain. They just carry on. Freckles hated getting her nails done or anything at the Vets as needles were often involved. This is the only times she wore a muzzle. She voiced loudly her displeasure at these events. Otherwise she was this sweet loving girl who waited patiently for her next meal. Well sort of! We will miss you forever dear Freckles!
As the vaccines roll out in 2021 for Covid19 I pray that we will again be able to meet with our families and friends in person. The year of 2020 made you appreciate just how much freedom we had before. As they often say you never know what you miss until it is gone. It has made us think about our lives and what we appreciate the most.
I think about my friend Doreen’s long journey to health from her car accident. From this we have become even closer and I have come to know her family more. Through adversity you can become stronger.
I hope in many ways that we can take some of the good things we have learned in 2020 into our hearts. We have learned the true value of friends and family and how we can support each other out. We have learned that kindness and love goes a long way. We have learned that indeed we can wait politely in long lines. We have learned that we can lend a helping hand to those in more need than ours. We have learned that silence is o.k. We have learned that walks in nature helps a restless heart as we see the beauty it shares with us. We have also learned that the right thing to do is to wear a mask for others and that social distancing is crucial to curbing this virus. Most of all we have learned that friends and loved ones will find ways to stay in touch and be supportive of each other. This is the gift that was 2020.
Happy New Year to each and every one of you! Blessings to all.
Sue