A new year brings anticipation for great things. This year feels like a warmth of sunshine after cloudy days. 2020 brought many challenges without the “perfect vision” the year number indicated. Learning from our experience gives us energy for improvement as we move forward.
My list of twenty-one take-aways from 2020 with optimism that 2021 will be a better year if we remember:
- We are resilient and can recover from stressful conditions.
- We care about others more than our own comfort. Wearing a mask is proof.
- We are creative with ways to connect, celebrate, worship, and teach while social distancing.
- We are resourceful and can adapt to difficult circumstances.
- We are all passionate about our beliefs, therefore it’s important to respect individual beliefs especially when they differ from our own.
- We are patient, notably when it’s necessary.
- We persevere in hard situations as we work for improvement.
- We are courageous as we learn to do things we’ve never done before.
- We are fashionable. Masks often match what we are wearing or make a statement about our personality. Colorful, fun masks are amusing.
- We need each other. Isolating negatively affects our mental health.
- We realize hugs are not to be taken for granted.
- We are more aware of what our teachers and healthcare providers do. We are so thankful for their dedication.
- We gained gratitude for sanitary stations by most building entrances.
- We have appreciation for disinfectant wipes to sanitize grocery carts.
- We learned zoom meetings are an effective way to take care of business.
- We learned routine doctor visits can be done efficiently and are convenient by facetime or duo phone calls.
- When an in-person doctors visit is necessary, the sticker on your shirt with the written temperature reading puts other at ease or encourages them to keep their distance if you have a fever.
- We appreciated less people in the doctor’s office making the wait time to get into the exam room significantly shorter.
- More people working from home improves the air quality and drives gasoline prices down. It’s grand that city streets no longer filled with vehicles were roped off for recreational bike riding and walking.
- Social distancing at home allowed more time to get projects done.
- Each person is important. We make a difference in the lives around us.
This year has been an experience we’ll all remember. 2020 not only strengthened our character, but it helped us realize what is most important. I hope to remember the positive lessons learned from the past as we move forward.
What can you add to the list?
Cemeteries look beautiful this time of year with decorated graves including flowers, wreaths, balloons and flags adding color and variety to the area. I appreciate having a holiday dedicated to the remembrance of those who have passed and have changed our lives for the better. In honor of Memorial Day, I like to post an article by someone who recently lost a loved one. This year Peggy Martin shared her 
Last Thursday, Dr. Matt Townsend, a relationship expert, spoke to a group of survivors and caregivers at the Intermountain Medical Center. He presented life-changing skills with humor, teaching me how to improve my relationships in an entertaining way. I enjoyed his presentation so much that I’ve been listening to his many short videos on a variety of topics dealing with relationships while I work. If you like to listen to fun, uplifting, concise talks, you should check out his website.
When these basic needs are not met, we feel starved which makes it hard to fill your loved one’s needs. We all feel love and express love differently. Gary Chapman, author of The 5 Love Languages, describes how some of us feel love by: words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service and physical touch. We tend to give love to another in the manner that speaks love to us. However, it is better expressed in the language your loved one speaks. Matt says his wife’s love language is acts of service. He vacuums or does another household chore and she’s appreciative. His love language is physical touch. They’ve tried holding hands while he vacuums, but that’s just too awkward.
We all want loyalty, happiness and honesty in a relationship. To feel joy and peace, we must feed the relationship. “You must be the change you wish to see.”- Gandi
Thanksgiving is more than the annual national holiday which celebrates a harvest festival. It is family time with an expression of gratitude. I love this holiday because it reminds me of the importance of giving thanks. It renews my goal to make every day a day of thanksgiving. Some days that’s harder than others, but even in the face of life’s challenges there is something to be thankful for.
I’m grateful for our comfortable, wheelchair accessible home, which always gives me something to fix up or improve and the space I need to be able to work at home. I appreciate my employment in property management which enables me to pay for all the necessary things in life. I am fortunate to have wonderful bosses and friends in Steve and Rick. I appreciate all they do for me in our business as well as the support in my personal life. They were patient and caring as my shoulder healed and took on some of my responsibilities.
I can relate to Christine Scott’s feelings and well written words in 
Uniting Caregivers 