Happy New Year's Eve! Today is the last day of 2020, which has been challenging at best. The Bean spent yesterday lamenting on the ridiculousness of looking forward to 2021. "I mean, it's not like the clock is going to turn midnight and this pandemic and virus are going to just disappear!" said my little ball of sunshine. She went on to say, "2021 isn't going to be any better! It's not like I can go back to school, taekwondo, or have my friends over!" She is correct. However, it isn't like her to be so negative. She spent the day in a bit of a funk and was borderline difficult with her attitude. Sigh...I realize this is just a sample of things to come.
Although very pessimistic, The Bean's observations are correct. It's not going to just disappear, and things won't magically return to normal. However, I feel as human beings; we need symbolic markers to give us hope. It is symbolic to say good-bye to an overall bad year and ring in hope for a new, better year. That hope is what keeps us going. It is what makes us able to get through the difficult days. It is what keeps us looking forward instead of looking back. I feel there are indeed going to be better days ahead. We may not return to "normal" in the near future, but we will once again be able to see friends, partake in activities, and gather with caution.
Like The Bean, I have days when I feel a bit hopeless. I feel as though the days drag on, and this time alone is never-ending. I miss seeing the faces of those I care about. I miss the feeling of freedom without restrictions. I'm tired of feeling the weight of this virus and trying to keep it at bay. I'm tired of worrying about my little buddy's health and well-being to the point of distraction. However, I know that this will not last forever. I know that keeping her safe and healthy far outweigh the enjoyment of gatherings and parties. I know that someday soon, she will return to school, taekwondo, and sleepovers. I know that this will all be a memory that we revisit and talk about in the past tense someday soon. This, too, shall pass, and we will be onto the next phase, the next concern, the new worry.
So welcome, 2021! Please bring me the next phase. Please give me something else to occupy my mind. Most of all, please bring me better days. I am hopeful this year will be a year like we have never before seen...in a good way. I look forward to 2021 and hope you do too. As always, dear reader, stay safe, stay smart, stay hopeful, and wash your hands...and Happy New Year!