Happy New Year, dear readers! While I’m as glad as anyone to leave 2020 in the rearview mirror, I can’t help but be grateful for some wonderful moments the year has had.
I’ve always appreciated loved ones, but this year has made me even more grateful for them. I’m grateful for all the creative ways we’ve managed to see each other, be it walks outside, FaceTime meals for Thanksgiving and Christmas, or outdoor picnics all the way into December (bundled up and with heaters!). Thank God for technology–I think it’s helped us all to stay more sane this year. Video calls are extraordinary in helping us stay connected and feel loved–I can’t imagine going through a pandemic without them. (That’s a sentence I never thought I’d write, before this year…).
I’ve enjoyed much more quality time at home with my husband and our doggo. With less commuting, less out-of-home commitments, less opportunity to leave the house, it’s helped me enjoy the “hygge” experience to the fullest. I’ll admit it was an adjustment for this extrovert, but it allowed for so much bonding at home. We still feel like newlyweds, but our marriage has taken on a richer, deeper feeling this year, as we’ve navigated historical, painful, difficult moments, with different perspectives, and come out much stronger and more united because of it all. I’ve always said I’m grateful I got to see Dave’s mettle immediately, as I met him at a difficult time in my life, and I knew he’d be an amazing partner for life. Well, this year, I got to see that even more.
I think this has been Leia’s best year ever. With tons of extra snuggles and attention, as well as fun joining in the picnics outside, she’s been having a blast. Her sweet, loving nature has been a huge source of happiness for our whole family this year, especially me. Even though she still acts like a puppy in many ways, she is getting older, and I know I will forever cherish this year of extra bonding we’ve been lucky to have. She’s been a wonderful sport as the subject for many of my DogTime.com articles and her own Instagram and Facebook pages (because if there were ever a year for fluffy adorable content improving lives around the world, wouldn’t 2020 be it?).
Also a guest star in our hygge experience was a much higher media consumption this year. Thank God for great entertainment that’s helped us to escape the difficult realities of the year temporarily, that’s given us moments of happiness, and even, sometimes, permanent growth with epiphanies to which we connect. I’ve had much more time for reading, writing, and watching great movies/series, as well as playing musical instruments and video games (Zelda: Breath of the Wild will always be tied to 2020 in my mind). To all the artists out there, I thank you for your gifts that have helped make this year much better for us all.
I’ve always been proud to work for Northwestern Medicine, but it’s been really rewarding to support lifesaving efforts this year in such a tangible way. I was proud to help put together many, many blood drives that have made an enormous difference in keeping blood supply afloat, during a year of crisis in national shortage, due to COVID. I’m very proud of our generous employees, and it’s been thrilling to support these efforts. In fact, Northwestern Medicine won the Beacon of Hope award for being Versiti Blood Center’s top blood-collecting Illinois partner this year!
It’s been a huge year for scientific breakthroughs. As horrible as COVID has been, we have learned so much from it. We end the year with having a vaccine–two, almost three, as well as antibody treatments being developed! I’m grateful for the scientists and volunteer test subjects who worked so hard to make this happen, as well as the governments and companies who funded the research so it could happen so quickly.
Our Christmas card encapsulates the highlights of our year! In early January, we got to see the Broadway version of Beauty and the Beast onstage, thanks to the generous Christmas present from Dave’s parents.
With timing that’s eerie in retrospect–our family went to Walt Disney World in early March, moments before the country went into pandemic panic and lockdown. Those magical memories have been carrying us through the year.
That was the last of any public events for us for the year! We also enjoyed dressing up in family pirate costumes (I know I’m biased, but I think Leia wins the prize for cutest pirate ever!). My photographer extraordinaire husband also took beautiful family photos outside in our backyard on our anniversary weekend, and I just love them. (Not pictured on our card: pandemic.)
You know what? I’ll even miss “#2020,” the blanket excuse for anything going wrong, from a spilled drink to a major disaster–the collective wry blaming joke we shared across the globe. Those of us old enough to remember this year will forever recall, with a mix of stress and laughter at the ridiculous (once it’s far enough behind us)–the toilet paper shortages, the sourdough craze across the globe, the wardrobe of masks, and, I hope, some fond memories of closeness with loved ones, whether it was cuddling in person or extra video calls, social media conversations, etc. For those of you who have had a particularly tough year of illness or loss, my heart and prayers go out to you. I hope 2021 will be better for all of us.
Wishing you love, happiness, wellness, and prosperity in the year to come.
Jelly-Side Up 