Thursday, December 31, 2020

15 GOOD Things That Came Out of the Stinky Year 2020

 



Can't begin to tell you how HAPPY I am to say goodbye to probably the WORST year of my life and the lives of MANY others.

If I had to name 2020 it would be "The Year of Loss"

It began with the loss of activities and items that we all took for granted. Parties, going out to restaurants with friends/family, getting together with friends and family for various holidays/celebrations, hugging, taking part in group events such as football games and concerts, grocery shopping (in person for the early part of the year), not being able to find toilet paper, paper towels, disinfectant, wipes, other misc. cleaning products,  did I say hugging? 

Then, there were the personal losses. Both of my boys, my stepdaughter......these losses nearly did us in...but we made it, scarred for life, but we made it.

I remember having so much excitement and great anticipation when 2020 first began, I was CERTAIN it was going to be a great year. (Don't call me if you want any psychic predictions!)

But, as is always the case when there is bad, there is good that goes along with it:




15 GOOD Things That Came Out of the Stinky Year 2020

(In NO Particular Order!!) 

1) New found appreciation for waiting possibly one day too long to take a shower.

2) Not having to be at group events/parties,   that deep down you REALLY didn't want to attend anyway

3) Appreciation of the LITTLE things, enjoying nature, QUIET, a slowed-down pace. Binge-watching your favorite garbage TV shows (in my case that would be MUCH of the programming on TLC)

4) Fun get-togethers on ZOOM (am I the only one who prior to COVID never even knew that ZOOM existed?)

5) Being able to embrace the introvert part of me (yep, while I appear to be out-going and am great at acting the part), a HUGE part of me is a MAJOR introvert! I have always enjoyed my own company, (probably from having lived MUCH of my adult life on my own), and have never been one to partake in many group events both online and in person.

6) My new relationship with DoorDash...oh DoorDash how I love you! (Wooo hooo I can order food from MILES away that arrives in LESS THAN AN HOUR!!! )

7) The amazing job that Whole Foods does on home delivery

8) Never wearing a bra!!! (wait, was that TMI?) too bad!

9) QVC.......the hosts at QVC, and their banter got me through many a blue day during the pandemic

10) A new granddaughter who was born in June. Sadly, due to COVID we barely know her and she doesn't know us, but we are hoping that will change in 2021.

11)Seeing our other granddaughter on Facetime and lighting up when she says "Nana!" and "Grandpa"

12) Our amazing Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who in spite of incredible opposition, put "PEOPLE ahead of POLITICS" no matter what some may think of her!!! Love you "Big Gretch!!"

13) Friends from near and far who reached out to me personally via phone calls, snail mail cards, email, private messages on Facebook and texts with messages of caring, quotes, graphics, and some special incredibly touching gifts sent to bring comfort after the loss of Cody and Dakota. Those kind gestures/special gifts, live in my heart and home, and helped more than any of you know, and will never, ever be forgotten!!! 

(Look closely and you will see Levi next to Lenny)


14) My husband, who through the beginning stages of the pandemic did MOST of the runs to the store/drug store and now, with two toddlers in our midst spends MUCH of his day taking Levi on countless potty runs and breaking up toddler fights!!! He is the primary potty trainer for Levi, and referee for Levi and Roary (I am the "bad cop", disciplinarian, I am working on teaching Levi commands, and trying to keep Roary entertained in another room to give him some one-on-one attention). 

15) Last but not least, my boys!!!! Roary and Levi! Out of the worst possible year came two ENORMOUS BLESSINGS!!



This was by no means my entire list of GOOD things that came out of the worst year of my life, but they sure are a good start right?


****On a completely other note....I want to thank EVERYONE who sent  the wonderful holiday snail mail cards and email cards that I received. I was saving each and every ecard to feature on the blog.......then........I bought a new notebook......and...the ecards are all on the OLD laptop. (I didn't buy the cord to transfer items over).......so please accept my deepest apologies!! I had every intention of posting them......so much for intentions, right? My intentions were good for 2020 as I mentioned above.........well, I'm shutting up now.....thanks for thinking of us! Thanks for being there for us during the past year......you are all like extended family!! Whatever you do to ring in the New Year be safe and smart!!!!

I am grateful to each and every one of you who take the time to read my blog, even when I barely blogged through much of 2020, thanks for sticking with me! Much love and gratitude is being sent to all of you!

Bye 2020!!!! Don't let the door hit ya on the way out!!!




38 comments:

  1. I am with you on the goodby to a sh***y year...LOL! Kick it into the gutter and down the drain/sewer hole! Oops, I got carried away!

    I loved that pic of you all on the couch, lounging and enjoying some snuggle time.

    Yes, it has been a topsy turvey year, but well, my own life has been about as usual, on account of that I do have to go to my work...can't do that online, LOL!
    But hubby felt it keenly and with a lot of difficulty...
    I mostly missed the gatherings and outings and the worst was not being able to travel to my sister in Ontario. So close and yet so far...

    But we did weather it all...and will in the coming months as well. Us peeps are more resilient than we realize aren't we?

    Enough of my blabbering...

    Happy New Year!

    May you find happiness in all you do,
    and I hope you get to soon hug and cuddle your grandkids.

    Hugs! ♥

    And us hooligans send our wags and wiggles to you, too!

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  2. You have had a really rough year in so many ways, so it is so awesome to see all the things you are grateful for, not the least being your new family members (human, feline and canine)! Here's to 2021!

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  3. I share several of the items on your list (3, 6 and 7!) I'm just so happy that for you, this awful year also brought back joy with Roary and Levi. Here's to 2021 being a better year for all of us! xoxo

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    1. Ingrid I will never, ever forget your kindness, EVER!!!!! Sending (((hugs))) and love, today and always. Happy New Year!

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  4. It really was a "mostly hideous" year wasn't it. But there still were good moments among the bad. Losing your two boys was the worst but adopting two precious new family members was the best. We know there were lots of ups and downs for most people but let's try to carry the UPS into 2021. We all want a brighter year ahead - we've come too far not to have that light at the end of the tunnel just around the corner so let's keep doing the right stuff. We love you all and wish you the VERY BEST 2021...... Bring it on!

    Love and Hugs, Pam, Teddy and Angel Sammy

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  5. 2020 has been rotten overall, but we too have found lots of good things in it. Other than wearing a mask for mom, not going out to eat and having lots of dog sports events cancelled in the spring, life hasn't been much different. We do hope to get back to somewhat normal asap. Happy New Year's Eve!

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  6. Caren, I love this list! So much of what you said resonated with me too. I too can relate to personal loss, deep appreciation for the simple things like toilet paper and bleach as well as take out! Although this year kicked our a**, we made it. We are all stronger than we ever knew and can only go up from here. I'm so happy that your year of chaos, ending in two wonderful blessings. May you and Levi, Roary, and hubby stay blessed and have a Happy New Year! Much love and virtual hugs your way!

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  7. Caren, thank you for such a wonderful, open/honest post. You've had more hardship and sorrow than the average person, so it's a testament to your inner strength, and that of Lenny's, that you're both carrying on. Not ever the same, but still going. ♥

    I've been lucky to pivot to working from home without interruption, and I'm with you on #8. If we go back to the office this year, I don't know how I'll endure wearing proper clothing again. LOL.

    Wishing you a truly wonderful, happy, healthy, hopeful 2021. Hugs.

    Kim and Derry

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    1. Kim and Derry you are so kind! thank you! I will never forget your kindness and the quotes you sent to me when the boys passed. It meant (and means) so much!!!! Yeah let's stick with Number 8 in 2021!! lol Lots of love and wishes for a wonderful New Year!

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  8. 2020 was so horrible, We prefurr not even to THINK about it, much less write about it. However, Mummy says She agrees with you about no. 8 on your list (mol).
    Wishing you all a much happier Mew Year.
    Trixie, Caspurr, Shimshi and Mummy Shimona

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  9. Yes indeed, 2020 stink, stank, stunk! But, your boys Roary and Levi made the whole world smile when they came home to live with you. We value and appreciate your friendship, always. Thanks for joining our Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!

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    1. oh my dear furiend! I will sadly, never forget our phone calls and messages when both of our babies were ill. Your friendship was such a comfort! Praying 2021 is MUCH better for everyone! Love you all!

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  10. We sure hope 2021 ends much better than 2020. There were highs and lows for everyone, just like every year. Some of the lows were probably a bit more extreme than usual due to the pandemic but there's nowhere to go but up from here.

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  11. On this, the last day of the year of loss, we are definitely grateful for YOU! Here's wishing you, Lenny and fur-babes a kinder, gentler 2021 full of love, visits with Grands and lots of pet hair. Stay safe, sane and keep smiling. Love you! M, Norman & the Ninja🐾

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    1. and WE are grateful for YOU! (Particularly, I am!) I haven't been the greatest friend to you since July......but...I plan to do MUCH better in 2021!!! Love you too!! Always!

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  12. Caren, after the year you had, I am amazed that you still can find a bright light among it...and 15 good things. :) But that is how we have to look at it, don't we? Wishing you all the best for the coming year. ~Sue

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  13. Why do we wear bras anyhow? If God wanted our attributes to stay nice and perky, he'd have made them that way!
    Nowadays, I wear one when exercising, and when on camera at a Zoom meeting, even though no one can tell...sorry if TMI!
    Happy New Year!

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    1. No apologies necessary! I am the one who brought it up! lol. Who can see "the girls" on Zoom anyway???? Let that sucker go!!!!!

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  14. You have had a rough year, but kept your chin up and are focusing on the positives, you are a Superhero Caren! I appreciate you, your blog and your outlook, many hugs and best wishes for the New Year.

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    1. This was so incredibly sweet!! I wasn't going to reply to comments (at least not yet), but yours was just so special I couldn't resist!! (((hugs))) to you!!!

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  15. I'm glad you had some positives in 2020 and especially glad that you now have Roary and Levi! It's not a year I will miss, but I'm happy just to have made it through this one!

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  16. 2020 was certainly a difficult year for many, and it seems to have hit your family very hard. I'm so sorry for all of the loss, but I love that you can still find the good things that came out of it. Here's to hoping for a better year with 2021!!

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  17. Yes this was a horrible, rotten, no good, very bad year! I (finally) retired at the end of November and instead of looking at the horrible, rotten, no good, very bad stuff - I have chosen to focus on more Thankfulness, Laughter, Patience and Memories in 2021. I am ready for the New Year!
    On this New Year, I wish that you have a superb January, a dazzling February, a Peaceful March, an anxiety-free April, a sensational May, and joy that keeps going from June to November, and then round off with an upbeat December.
    Love Barb

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  18. Caren, I loved this post, it was funny and real and so much resonated with this introvert as well. BTW-I LOVE your governor as well but, ours is pretty good as well - no complaints. Happy New Year - Pets are the best!

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    1. thank you Diane!!! I forgot where you live, who is your governor? Happy New Year!!!!

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  19. Whew. That was one seriously rough year. You experienced so much loss, dear friend, and we love that you were able to find so many silver linings (I SO hear you on # 5, by the way). Happy New Year to you, Lenny, Roary and Levi! Let's all make it a good one.

    Love you!

    Kevin, Tracey and Ava

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    1. dear friends you had your share as well.....(((hugs))) I think virtually everyone has......what a crazy, crazy year it was!! Love you all always! xoxo

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  20. It surely has been a difficult year but thanks so much for those wonderful things. Ah life, it can be very very difficult but also oh so sweet. Happy Mew Year Friends!
    Timmy and Family

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  21. You have a wonderful way with words, Caren! I'm so glad some blessings came out of this really bad time.
    Roary and Levi are so lovely - and I'm sure the new grand baby is too!
    Happier New Year!
    xxoo
    Maggie

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    1. that is a HUGE compliment, thank you!!!!!! Sending much love for the New Year and always!! xoxo

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  22. I like how you found some positives in this awful year. I am thankful for your friendship. Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy 2021! XO

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    1. we are thankful for YOUR friendship too!!! Wishing you the best in 2021!! xoxo

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  23. It has been a terrible year, but worse for you than some. I hope this year brings you happiness x

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  24. I'm sorry for all your loss and pain, 2020 truly was a heartbreaking year for you, but I'm also so grateful for all the wonderful silver-lining moments you had as well as the addition of so much love into your life. Best wishes to you, Lenny, angels Cody and Dakota, and Roary and Levi for a wonderful 2021.

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  25. Happy New Year, dear Caren, Lenny, Roary and Levi! Looking back of year 2020, you've found Roary and Levi and gave them a beautiful home and they bring you happiness and fun in return.

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  26. Great post! So nice to see the positive things from this year. 2020 was not a good year for me either, but I'm filled with hope for 2021. Happy New Year to you and your family!

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  27. Roary and Levi are so adorable! I'm so happy for you and Lenny, Caren.

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