This year, I’m thankful for 2020.
I’ve seen a meme floating around Facebook that says “This is not the year to have everything you want. It’s the year to be thankful for what you have.” Ow, that really hits in the feels. But it’s true. As much as 2020 has sucked, AND IT HAS SUCKED, we needed this horrendous time to actually be #InThisTogether. To have family nights, to have Saturday’s on the couch, to just stay home. Did you know there was a cabinet in my mom’s house upside down for nearly 22 years? Well first, it’s took me 18 years to notice it but until this year it wasn’t fixed. Sadly, the finesse of the kitchen was due to quarantining but luckily, LoriKat pulled through the back aches, small fever and lack of smell. (Please don’t call her that at the postal window. She’ll take away my X-mas presents!) What I’m saying, is that it took forced time at home to complete projects that made us happy. Forced time. Of course, I’m thankful for the health and wellbeing of my family and friends but honestly, I’m thankful for 2020.
I Hate Myself For Loving You
Joan Jett said it first in 1988, but it applies to this year exceptionally well. You took away grandparents. You caused damage to buildings and livelihoods. You crashed an American dream. I hate all those scenarios but look at what was brought to the forefront. We recognized that time spent with family, especially grandparents, is irreplaceable. Granted my grandmothers are either spouting off about how “tomorrow is my last day” or “come back when you can stay longer” so I’m cautiously aware of their time of this Earth but not everyone is. Look at how you spend your days. Are you surrounded by loved ones? Are you alone on your couch? It’s truly whatever makes you happy, but don’t live life with regrets or “I’ll do it tomorrow” because tomorrow is never promised. Yes, social distancing sucks and quarantine is even worse (especially for extroverts) but visit them from a distance. Talk through the window. Make memories on the porch. It can be done. Just think.
Here’s my favorite treat (*sarcasm) from 2020. “You caused damage to buildings and livelihoods.” 2020 exposed the racism and anger within our society. I do not care what side of the aisle you are on, it’s there. Racism is real. While it will probably never go away because that is literally what our country was founded on (sorry, Tommy Jefferson), we as people in this society can better ourselves. We can keep the comments to yourself. You know when the boundary is crossed. We can step into someone else’s shoes. We can attempt to understand from both parties why protests, why conversations, and why absolutely nothing is happening all at the same time. Have you ever watched a flock of turkeys? A hen keeps guard while the rest roam and do their thing. They work together to stay safe, to enjoy their lives together. Not listening to one another or ignoring other opinions, which we are all free to have, is how you end up as the centerpiece for a Thanksgiving meal. Open your eyes to what’s around you. Listen and more importantly, hear one another. The world’s beautiful from multiple points of view.
An entire generation used to (& I pray continues to do) wad up a piece of paper or grab an empty Gatorade bottle and shoot towards the trash bin. They would yell “Kobe” as the follow through of their wrist decided if it’s a miss or nothing but net. We did it without thought. I did it and I wouldn’t of known who Kobe Bryant was if it wasn’t for my “second sister’s” basketball collection of magazine fold outs taped around her room or my “second brother’s” routine quiz on pronunciations of athlete names. Thank you, Reed, for never letting me forget Dirk Nowitzki. Point is, there was something from that foggy January day that we could all relate to. As Americans I believe we felt our souls yearn for our children, our parents, our urge to travel freely. We felt for the pilot, for their families, for an American idol. We felt. As heartbreaking and tragic as that moment in history was, for once, we were together. That moment may have been as short lived as the notification bleep on your phone but it existed and that gives us hope. Hope for the future, hope for the holidays and hope for 2021.
It’s Thanksgiving. Some families circle the table to share what they are thankful for, others don’t gather at all. Whatever your situation may be, take a few minutes to reflect on your year. It’s been different but what has 2020 made you uniquely thankful for. Not your family. Not your friends. Be unique. Personally, the work-from-home atmosphere of PJs until noon is pretty phenomenal. Ladies, do you know how free that feels; if you catch my drift. As much as I admire changing into my slippers as work shoes, I appreciate the care I’ve seen from people. People who ask how you are doing when you are sick. People who care about your day-to-day schedule. A thankfulness of people being genuinely good people, just like America needs.
Happy Turkey Day! I hope your cranberries are tart, the meat is moist, and the Macy’s Parade floats across your screen.
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