2021

 Happy New Year!  After the year of 2020, I'm certain many welcome the hope of a new year.  I've experienced much in my life, but never a year such as 2020.  So many uncertainties, so many fears....It doesn't seem quite right to list hopes for 2021 without acknowledging the pain and fears that lead to growth of me in 2020.

Last year saw a reconnection for me with four of my elementary school girlfriends.  Uh huh.  Actually the reconnection came a few months before the end of 2019 as we all met at the funeral for the husband of one.  We resolved then to go to lunch together.  2020 saw that happen early on in the year....or at least four of us, one was not able to go along.  Sadly, it wasn't many weeks after that wonderful two hour lunch that I got the call that one of the girls had passed on to heaven suddenly.  She was the widow of the husband who had passed just months earlier.  I sat by her during that lunch.  She was the one that was my oldest friend, we lived close, rode the bus together and she never ever forgot my birthday or me hers.  We couldn't remember what we did the day before but we remembered each other's birthday in that odd part of our brain that controls that.  Such sadness for me that day she left....but gratefulness that we had had the time together.  She touched my life.

The Girl turned 39.  How could I have a 39 year old?  Where does the time go?

Then Covid-19 happened and life forever changed.  I began working from home, I stayed at home, did grocery pick-up, wore masks everywhere, had hand soap everywhere, did not go to church--saw it online as the pastor preached to an empty church, experienced a time of fear when my mother was hospitalized with covid and another serious problem, and talked to more doctors and nurses in a few days than I had talked to in a while.  

Good news is my mother recovered.  Sadly, there were several of my friends and acquaintances dear to me that did not.  Everyone in my family had covid antibodies, except me.  

I learned one can have an Easter sunrise service on their porch with just their husband even though for the past 39 years, it was experienced in a church group.  I learned birthdays can be celebrated simply for four year olds.  I learned it takes a lot of quarantine to be able to have a hip steroid shot in a covid pandemic.  I have learned again how it feels to learn "it's not cancer".  Most of all I've learned that one can find strength to carry on amidst a pandemic.  2020 will forever be the year of the pandemic.

Looking forward to 2021, I still see covid up front and center but am hopeful for a vaccine that will make a difference.  Right now, I know three people who have it and one who has just passed from it.  So it's still here and real.  

I'm excited at the thought that I will be the parent of a 40 year old.  :)

I'm also excited at the thought that there's a good chance I could get a new hip this year.  Hip replacement is very real in my future.  It would be great to not be in pain.  I've heard that hip replacements can change lives for the better.  I'm ready.

I would imagine for me and for you, 2021 is still quite uncertain but is that any different from other years past?  Really?  Life is very uncertain but hope remains.  As the wonderful Christmas song, "O Holy Night", says, "A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn..."  Hope is thrilling and our world is weary but "mercies are new every morning and the Lord's faithfulness is great" (Lamentations 3:23).  

Do I have a new year's resolution?  Nah.  They are only good if one follows through and often that doesn't happen.   Or again, maybe a resolution to keep on hoping and trusting is the best one to make.  So welcome 2021, we have looked forward to your arrival!

Consider....