Bill's Musings

We all do it. Every year on New Year’s Eve, we reflect on the previous 12 months and exclaim that next year will be better. Well, maybe not all of us, because some have had a pretty good year, but you know what I mean. There is always the hope that we will somehow improve our fortune, be it intrinsic, health, social status, love life, or any number of metrics upon which we measure our worth.

It goes without saying that 2020 was a corker.

Last December 31st, we toasted the year because it had been pretty good. We turned our gaze forward and exclaimed that 2020 was going to be even better! YES!

But it wasn’t. Not by a country mile.

When I look at the changes that society as a whole has had to make to deal with Covid-19, it is breathtaking. Sadly, I don’t think we will ever be back to a complete ‘normal’, what we consider pre=pandemic living. Of course, that is my opinion. Still, most of the changes are going to be around an awful long time, at the cost of many of the freedoms we have taken for granted for our entire lives. Hugging indiscrimanatley, walking into stores, malls, banks, restaurants and just being there, no masks, chatting, being close. Not having to search your glove compartment for masks, having to go back home for said masks, standing in line 6 feet apart pretty much everywhere. Being worried that you or your loved ones will contract Covid and thus spread it amongst ourselves, risking the many health issues that ay arise, including, unfortunately, death. The list goes on.

And yet, I am an optimist. Humans can and will adapt to all things Covid, at least until it is controlled or eradicated. And I believe we will be stronger and more wise for it. I know that in general our society has made the same mistakes over and over before. I know that. But I think that this situation will stick in our collective minds for a very long time. Especially if you have lost a loved one. Taking concerts, sporting events, personal freedoms and the like for granted won’t be an issue.

I sincerely hope we all can turn the page on this most painful of years, that we can make lemonade from the lemons that was 2021. That at some point in our future we can hug for no other reason than to say ‘I love you man!’, that we can gather for holidays and weddings and school events and yes, even funerals, and not worry about spreading this pestilence. We may be carrying sanitizer on our persons for a while longer, sure….but it’s a small price to pay for the other benefits.

In the meantime, continued health to you and yours. Stay safe. Be smart. Be considerate of others. Love. Laugh. Be kind and warm. Forgive. Our community can still benefit from our consideration, and grow.

Let’s hold hands, at least electronically, and ring in 2021. Peace and love, everyone!