Victories of 2020

You did it!  You’ve made it through the longest year in history: 2020!  Give yourself a pat on the back.  We all know that this year was….not ideal, but it definitely taught us to slow down and appreciate everything that we have.  Maybe you were lucky enough to spend more time at home with your family?  Maybe you learned a new hobby?  Maybe you spent more time in nature?  Maybe you watched Netflix in its entirety?  If nothing else, this year has taught us how resilient we all are.  As 2020 comes to an end, let’s celebrate the victories, both big and small, from this crazy year! 

1. Our priorities have changed!  Before Covid hit, many of us were running around, constantly busy, constantly stressed, and never had any time to slow down and enjoy life.  2020 has forced many of us to slow down and appreciate what we have.  We also were given time to revisit old hobbies like gardening and baking.  
2. We have learned to appreciate our frontline workers, teachers, and grocery store workers (among many other essential people) a lot more.  Without them, our country would have come to a screeching halt.
3. Drive-In movies made a comeback!  Not only were people watching movies from the comfort of their own cars, but some concerts were also held at these venues for drive-in entertainment.
4. SpaceX successfully launched two Americans into orbit for the first time in nearly a decade. 
5. 103 year old grandma, Jennie Steins, beat Covid and celebrated with a Bud Light. 
6. Musicians have given us personal concerts at home!  Instead of having to fight traffic to see our favorite artists, we can now see them from the comfort of our own homes. 
7. NASA named its headquarters building in D.C. after Mary W. Jackson, the agency’s first African American female engineer.
8. A 21 year old man named Chris Nikic made history as the first person with Down syndrome to complete the Ironman Triathlon.
9. La Morada, a small Mexican restaurant in the Bronx became a soup kitchen to help the poor.  
10. Some Good News was created by John Krasinski in an effort to remind us all that even when the world feels bleak, there’s always something to smile about. 
11. When resources were scarce, major companies like 3M and Apple shifted production to make masks to help keep people safe.  Distilleries stopped making spirits and started making hand sanitizer.  Everyone tried to do their part to help out.  
12. When restaurants started shutting down, world renowned chef, Guy Fieri, raised over $21.5 million dollars to help unemployed restaurant workers.  
13. We have become more creative than ever with how we work, how we celebrate, and how we socialize.  We have had zoom parties.  We have used drones to fly messages to neighbors.  We have had sing-alongs with neighbors from our balconies.  With everything that has happened, we have still found ways to connect with people and enjoy life.  

I could go on forever with this list.  Within the darkness there has been a lot of light this year.  We hope that this light continues to get brighter in 2021. 

Have a safe and wonderful holiday season!