I don’t remember ever welcoming a new year more than 2021. 2020 was such a hard year. For so many people and in so many ways. People experienced terrible loss. However, in the midst of all the tragedy, there was some magic. New babies were welcomed. Parents watched toddlers celebrate firsts. People fell in love. Pain and joy. It’s a package deal.
It’s going to remain hard as we start this new year, but we all hope that things will get better. Looking back over 2020, there are so many things I’m thankful for.
- Tom’s presence in my life. I couldn’t ask for a better partner in quarantine. Our daily walks, making sandwiches for lunch together and sharing weekend cocktail hours are helping me through lockdown.
- Regular calls with Louis. Hearing about life in Brooklyn, his job, the artists he is writing about or what he is cooking for dinner, makes him feel a little bit closer in this time of quarantine.
- Julia’s laughter. When we share calls with Louis and Julia, I love hearing Julia laugh. It’s infectious. I imagine the joy of living with Julia and her laughter — lucky Louis.
- Vicki and Rich (Julia’s Mom and Dad), who opened their home and their hearts to Louis for months of quarantine. Celebrating Tom’s and Louis’s birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Julia’s graduate school graduation with us over Zoom. We are so thankful to them for sheltering our child.
- To all of you reading my blog. I look forward to your comments and sharing ideas with you. You inspire me to keep working on this project.
- All of the people on the front lines, dealing with Covid for months. All of the people who make sacrifices for the rest of us. Medical folks, people delivering our mail and packages, those staffing the stores to help us buy groceries, people keeping our infrastructure going and those responding to emergencies of all kinds.
- Everyone who volunteered at the polls this year, so that vulnerable older volunteers could protect themselves from the virus.
- The chefs and organizations who cook for those in need.
- Technology that allows us to stay in touch with our family and friends. All of our holidays were celebrated over Zoom, phone calls and texts. We are fortunate to be able to stay in touch during this pandemic.
- This New York Times article sharing readers’ six-word messages about what they are grateful for, and to Julia, for sharing it with me on Thanksgiving day.
Related Posts
Here are some previous new year posts.