We had such high hopes for you, 2020. Clear vision, new beginnings, personal growth.
But within those first two weeks, you hit my family with sorrow, sadness, loss. The chemotherapy was supposed to kill the cancer, not our mother. Our hopes and prayers took a big hit, but with 11 and a half months still to go in the year, we held tight onto those hopes with both hands and tried to see some silver linings..
Then came news from China, and cruise ships, and Europe about a novel coronavirus that no one had any idea how to treat. But at least it hadn’t arrived in the United States. We would be safe as long as it could be contained across the oceans.
But by mid-March, it was clear the U.S. would not escape. We heard words we never thought would be spoken in our lifetimes: pandemic, plague, mobile morgues, quarantine. Was it a conspiracy?
Then came the stay at home orders, shelter in place, social distancing, flattening the curve, isolation, remote learning, PBS Kids nearly 24/7 (at least in our house). Don’t wear a mask, wash your hands, don’t touch your face. Yes, wear a mask. Don’t leave home without it.
Only people with symptoms should get tested, anyone with any possible exposure should get tested, not enough tests for everyone, drive through testing. Hospital ICUs at maximum capacity. But it wasn’t real, it was a government hoax.
In-person meetings called off. Must cancel hotel and airline reservations. Will I get my money back? Do I get a credit? Virtual conferences become the norm. I spend hours on Zoom every day. Our household adult beverage consumption skyrockets.
Then came May and June. Our world spun even more out of control.
I can’t breathe. Nine minutes. We watched a man being murdered by the very person who was supposed to protect him.
We said their names: George Floyd, Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, Ahmaud Arbery, and many more.
We watched in horror as peaceful protests turned violent. Stores were looted. Business owners of all races beaten, their livelihoods destroyed. Some law enforcement officers became targets. Others tried to do the right thing, while still others acted like it was business as usual.
Would the National Guard get called in? Would the military even respond? The president calls protesters thugs; BLM calls rioters warriors.
Then we start opening our businesses and try to return to normal — as much as we could. The presidential election took center stage. It was us against them. The right against the left. MAGA versus BLM. White versus Black and Brown. More rhetoric from Republicans and Democrats while citizens floundered, families were in despair, children went hungry. Nancy Pelosi and Mitch McConnell at war over the economy and what relief should look like.
We were shocked at who tested positive. First Tom Hanks, then Idris Elba, Pink, Daniel Dae Kim, The Rock, U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Even more shocking, the deaths: Joe Diffie, Ellis Marsalis Jr., Nick Cordero, Herman Cain, Charley Pride.
Our president getting anxious about the economy, citizen morale, his re-election campaign. Rallies with no personal protection, thousands cheering. Super spreader events. The president and his family have COVID. But now he’s immune!
The election will be rigged. No, it’s safe and secure. Who is our next president? Biden is President-elect, but Trump won’t concede. Lawsuits are filed and dismissed. Even the new Trump-loaded Supreme Court says “No” to hearing about alleged voter fraud. Republicans fall in line behind the commander-in-chief. Not all. Just those feeling the pressure to conform.
We’re tired of staying apart. Can’t we just get together for Thanksgiving? Record number of travelers. Two weeks later, record number of COVID cases and hospitals bursting at the seams. Do you still think it’s a hoax?
December holidays are bearing down on us. No holiday parties. Meet with the family via Zoom. Wait for the vaccine to become available. But who gets it first? Will people even try it? Is it safe?
How do we bounce back? Can we even get to what we know of as “normal”? Is “normal” gone forever? How do we live?
We pick ourselves up and look to the future. We see the blessings. We help our fellow humans. We support small businesses. We try. We don’t give up.
We think about what 2021 will bring. We know we are strong enough to handle whatever comes our way.
We smile and wave at our neighbors. We remember we also have neighbors across the oceans. We have faith in ourselves and each other.
We live.
We love.
Until next week,
Susie at Stix-N-Stonez
2 thoughts on “An Ode To The Year From Hell”
❤️ We remember we also have neighbors across the oceans.
Yes, indeedy! Thanks for reading!
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