A Year Like No Other - Goodbye 2020

This has been a year like no other.

2020 will go in the history books.

COVID-19.

It has rocked the world. Rocked our world. Rocked your world. 

We have gone from being out of the house, working, going to school, out to dinner, visiting with friends, doing our thing; to being in the house, 24/7, working from home, schooling from home, cooking at home, not seeing family and friends, only physically seeing those you live with. 

We have lost things, physical things, emotional things, loved ones. We have gained things, time spent with each other, memories and moments we would not of had if it hadn't been for COVID. We have all had COVID birthdays. We have had COVID holidays, COVID parties, COVID gatherings, COVID everything. 

Brian and I are doing well. We've had and have our struggles, just like everyone else. We have been taking everything as it comes. We haven't killed each other and even on our worst days, still like each other. Working from home, we each have our own office space, going in the office once every other week to every three weeks. That was until Brian became a victim of COVIDs unemployment. Again we are taking it as it comes. We have reverted back into ourselves. It has been a while since we had to isolate, quarantine, for the safety and health of our family. You don't forget how to do it. We have fallen back into that routine pretty easily. For me, I have gone back to my ways from 2016/2017. I don't seem to be reaching out to friends as much. Some is because of all the technology, being online all day, on Zoom meetings. This makes me not want to do more technology when my work day is done. There is something to be said about too much technology. I know I was online, on the computer, all day in the office; yet it was different. There is something to be said about having human to human contact and conversations. The longer this goes on, the more technology gets in the way of the human to human exchanges. The first step is that I have realized this, realized how COVID has affected me, at least, in this one way. The next step - continue to be aware and begin to reach out to others. For now, to those who I haven't been in touch with, please keep your "technology" open when I re-enter.

Just like most people, life came to a halt in March 2020. No one new what would become of the world. As March turned into April, then into May...many people turned to sharing their feelings on what they were losing out on. How those canceled events were a once in a life time event and what others could/should do to make it "right." So many things to grieve. Grief is not just about losing a loved one, it is also about the loss of events, jobs, homes, etc. We all grieve for different things in different ways. There is no right or wrong way for grief. We need to find our own ways to grief and make things "right".

Summer plans were cancelled and for Becca that meant not attending her two happy places -- Camp Louise and the Twinless Twins Conference. Both of which gave Becca peace and a place where she could leave the world behind and be "her" without having to explain anything about being her. At camp, she is able to be carefree. Being screenfree gives her a sense of freedom in a different way from the rest of the year. At the Twinless Twins conference, Becca doesn't have to explain herself and her life. Everyone there is "broken" in the same way.  Not only was she going to miss being at camp, this was her CIT summer. For those who have attended a sleepaway camp, you know how much CIT summers mean. Camp did an amazing job with virtual activities and training. They spent 5 weeks, 3-4 times a week, getting to know each other over zoom. Twinless Twins canceled the in-person conference and did a virtual one. With the TTSGI 2021 conference to take place in Denver. As I am typing this post, I received an email from TTSGI, stating they are postponing registration for Denver until April as they continue to monitor COVID updates, vacanations, and travel options. Camp for 2021, is scheduled to happen with modifications due to COVID, to operate in their own "camp" bubble. Becca is planning on working there, while she is waiting for a contract to make if official. First year on staff, eighth summer.  

When schools closed in the middle March, I don't think anyone thought they wouldn't be going back. Becca finished her junior year of high school at home. All end of the year in-person programs cancelled...band concert, junior prom, saying goodbye to friends for the summer, or saying thank you to her teachers. So much more continued to be cancelled or postponed. SATs, ACTs, college visits, and travel plans. Just like so many others, she had to figure out what all of this would mean for her future. Many colleges went test optional for the class of 2021. As the months turned into summer, Becca continued to figure things out amongst her losses. The class of 2021 has lost so much, the end of their Junior year and all that comes with their senior year. I say this as I don't expect our county school system to have the kids back in the buildings before the end of the year. While this year had been one of the worst for Becca, besides 2016, there have been some good, happy, proud moments.

College acceptance letters have been arriving, along with merit scholarships to go with them. Masks on and while socially distanced, we have been able to visit some of the colleges Becca was accpeted to. These visit have allowed Becca to decide these schools/programs are not the right fit for her. While awaiting some more information and visiting a few more schools, Becca, along with our help, will decide where she wants to spend the next chapter and become a part of the class of 2025. 

She got her drivers license. Woo hoo. She has been doing well, getting out a little bit, running to the store for us.

The highest award a girl scout can earn is the Gold Award. Lots of work and time go into  earning this award. Certain requirements must be done before one is able to submit their proposal for approval. Becca's proposal has been approved and she is in the process of developing a video to raise awareness for rare diseases. 

As we say good bye to 2020 and welcome 2021, we continue to grief for the things we have lost and will most likely lose in 2021, but continue to look for the good and find ways to make things work. 2020 has been a year like no other, one of the most horrible years we have had...a bittersweat year.  

Here are 12 things to consider as we close the door on 2020:

1. The dumbest thing I ever bought was a 2020 planner.

2. I was so bored I called Jake from State Farm just to talk to someone. He asked me what I was wearing.

3. 2019: Stay away from negative people. 2020: Stay away from positive people.

4. The world has turned upside down. Old folks are sneaking out of the house & their kids are yelling at them to stay indoors!

5. This morning I saw a neighbor talking to her dog. It was obvious she thought her dog understood her. I came into my house & told my cat. We laughed a lot.

6. Every few days try your jeans on just to make sure they fit. Pajamas will have you believe all is well in the kingdom.

7. Does anyone know if we can take showers yet or should we just keep washing our hands?

8. This virus has done what no woman has been able to do. Cancel sports, shut down all bars & keep men at home!

9. I never thought the comment, "I wouldn't touch him/her with a 6-foot pole" would become a national policy, but here we are! 

10. I need to practice social-distancing from the refrigerator.

11. I hope the weather is good tomorrow for my trip to the Backyard. I'm getting tired of the Living Room.

12. Never in a million years could I have imagined I would go up to a bank teller wearing a mask & ask for money.