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!!!
