What a Year!… by JoAnn

This morning, as I watch the news on television, and then read the news on my laptop, I am overwhelmed with emotion.  2020 has certainly been a year most of us hope we can forget!  Covid-19 started out the year and quickly turned our sense of normalcy upside down.  Heart wrenching violence quickly followed, leading to months of protests in almost every major city.  Today, I watched the horrifying images of the Western states literally on fire.  The entire states of California, Oregon, and Washington State appear to be in flames when looking at a map showing a marker for each fire location.  Which, at last count that I heard, was over 77 fires.  And, we can’t forget the overly active hurricane season we’ve had as well.  

Human lives, homes, businesses, and jobs have been lost for each of the 2020 tragedies I’ve mentioned.  I can only imagine the many individuals and families struggling and desperate.  Unfortunately, we have a few months left to go this year, and I think most of us are wondering what else could possibly go wrong.  I’m sure just as many are hoping and praying that 2021 will bring an end to all the turmoil, we have seen this year.

I am a person of deep faith, and a mother who raised her children to always count their blessings no matter what the situation.  So, I ask myself today, what blessings have come out of 2020.  It may take some digging to get past all of the sadness of this historical year, but I believe everyone can find a reason to be thankful.

I for one am extremely grateful to have a safe, comfortable roof over my head.  With plenty of food, clean running water, and electricity to keep me cool in the summer, and warm in the winter.  I shudder to think of all the people who are, or will be, struggling with those most basic needs this year, and probably into next year as well. 

I am also so very grateful for the loved ones in my life that are truly there for me, no matter what.  Even though I may not be able to see them in person, because of Covid-19 and/or distance, not a day goes by that I don’t need them!  For now, I am happy to hug them if only in my heart, just to know they are safe and still in my life.  

I am thankful for my faith in God, and the comfort and peace that faith gives me in turbulent times.  I know I have grown even closer to Him in 2020.  I imagine many others have as well.  I believe in the positive power of prayer, and my prayers have been plentiful this year. 

I realize that 2020 will not magically turn back to what we know as normal at the stroke of midnight on the eve of 2021, but I do have hopes that we will see positive improvements by then.  No matter what happens, I have been shown without a doubt this year, that there are still superb people in this world.  A tragedy has a way of sifting all the good from the bad and making it easy to distinguish who is who.  

I will continue to be more thankful for what I have and worry less about what I don’t.  I will continue to look for any flicker of light at the end of this long dark tunnel in which we seem to travel.  Hoping for the best outcome for every one of us.  Some may think I am being unrealistic, or downright silly.  No, I have kept a positive attitude.  Even if that means counting my blessings one by one daily, to keep my head up.

Here is hoping each of you can find a blessing for yourself today.   Or better yet, be one to someone else.   After all, we are all in this together.