Thursday, December 31, 2020

That's a Wrap!

I'm one to never "wish days away," knowing the older we get, the fewer days there will be to enjoy, and never more so than this year, when we've been all the more aware of the fragility of life.  But I suspect just about everyone in the world is eager to kiss 2020 goodbye and welcome a new year of hope. 


A vaccine for Coronavirus-19 may not completely prevent and not cure the virus, but if it helps makes it easier for us to become less sick and return a bit more to normal, then that's a huge gift and a great deal of hope.


 For some, 2020 has been especially tragic with loss of loved ones or income because of the worldwide economic situation due to Covid-19. I know several who have been sicker than they have ever been before, but who have made it through. Others are not so lucky. The constant vigilance -- remembering masks, extra handwashing and sanitizing, disinfecting food, keeping distance -- is critical -- but wearing thin.


We've had tremendous trials this year, beyond the virus.


These and differences of opinion on restrictions during the virus have torn relationships and cities apart.


But I have found certain joys during this year and it would be remiss not to look back and acknowledge those things for which I am grateful, cherished moments, and the things that makes every second of this life I have worth fighting for.

In January, Rick, Kevin and Molly redid my kitchen -- a deeply loved holiday gift! And in February, the new stove arrived! Yes, I'm grateful!

We also were able to see all of Rick's extended family on his Mom's side when we celebrated her 80th birthday in Dallas. (And I got to connect with Laura from Decor to Adore, too!)


 March brought a celebration of 23 years together for Rick and me! 


The next day, we visited friends Suzanne and Jim in Canada. Rick took off for a trade show which was canceled while he was enroute due to Covid. He headed home; I stayed in Canada for a few days and so grateful for those last few days of semi-normalcy! This was my last dinner out, in mid-March.


I'm grateful for these little guys. We didn't get to see them nearly often enough but I treasure every one of those more carefree times in the spring before Covid hit...


...and in the fall before we locked down again.


I became more in tune than ever before with nature and truly appreciated walks to the Ditch and savoring the beauty of nature, feeling relatively safe in my mask outside. Seeing the water birds, deer and new life in the spring was such a gift.


We were lucky -- we had food to eat....


....and a cottage to escape to, which offered spectacular sunsets to take my breath away. 


The change of seasons and the beauty those changes brought with them lifted my spirits in every way. From the first blossoms of spring...


....to the dazzling color display of fall, I was in awe.

Could we have made it through 2020 without the kindness of others? Those incredible doctors and nurses who kept going when feeling both exhausted and hopeless? The scientists who steamrolled through several vaccines? The grocery store workers that allowed us to be able to get food? The other "ordinary people" who helped out in any way possible? Early on it was those who made masks -- not just for those who were desperate for them in the early days of Covid (they did astounding work) but also for sharing them with us.


I appreciated those who offered curb side delivery (and still do!)


And simpler things, like my neighbor taking care of the weeds on my beach at the lake, saving my back!


How could I ignore virtual doctor visits and house calls from my vet who turned Lizzie's lethal paws into carefully manicured, talon-free feet.


We had two occasions for which to leap for joy -- the engagement of one cousin's son, Jeff, to the lovely Lauren...


...and the wedding of another cousin's daughter, Heather, to the handsome Mike. We had to enjoy that on Zoom, but that was OK -- at least we got to see.


Zoom. One of the best things to come from all this was the rise of Zoom so we could connect with friends or attend board meetings. For those who worked, it meant the difference of being able to function while working at home.


I accomplished a lot this year. I completed my 300+ page family history book (or at least the first draft -- I have a few revisions to do!)


I painted loads of watercolors, read lots of books, and paid off my mortgage, which we celebrated with friends at Southern Exposure. Safely!


 I was grateful that I could vote by mail.


And by the results.


And would I have made it through 2020 without this guy?


I don't think so. His January concert was nicely attended and his passion for his music and bicycle makes me smile. No one could have been more supported or aware and conscientious in keeping me safe this year. We have more or less distanced for 10 months. Hopefully the vaccine will let us be closer.

And then there was this one -- the Secret Keeper, the Bed Buddy, The Girl with the Motorboat Purr. She was the one who made me get up every morning because she does not like to start her day on an empty stomach!

It wasn't a perfect year, to be sure. But we're turning the page. It won't fix the losses of last year. Loss of life, loss of experiences, loss of precious time. But pretty soon we will be able to get more of these.


And I can't wait.


 Happy New Year!

47 comments:

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

You did have many wonderful highs in 2020! Happy New Year!

Jackie McGuinness said...

It has been quite a year! We would rather have been travelling throughout the year, but we did some day trips around our own Niagara wine region.
Lots of home improvements happened. And I did a lot of different cooking and baking. Lots and lots of shopping online.
I'm not happy to be in a lockdown again. I am happy being home, but feel for all those businesses that cannot survive.
There is light at the end of the tunnel.
Happy New Year!

Mae Travels said...

What a year! Everyone had slightly different experiences, some lucky some dreadfully afflicted. I hope your 2021 is as good as we all expect, with the vaccine rescuing us. I hope, but I wish I was more confident that it all will work out.

be safe and healthy in the New Year... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Mary Rose's said...

Wow, the new (now months old) stove is a beauty!
And the Zoom gallery including Tim Z was just great. Thanks for that!
Here's a toast to you and Rick (and Lizzie) - much love, profoundly good health, and maybe a visit in the new year!

Love to all, Maryanne in the Blue Ridge

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie,

What a wonderful recap of your past year, you are blessed. There have been good and bad times for us all. I am full of hope for the new year and for the vaccine. I am happy to say bye-bye to 2020. I wish you and your family all the best in 2021, a very happy and healthy New Year!

gigi-hawaii said...

What a wonderful recap of 2020. Happy new year, Jeanie. Aloha from Hawaii.

Sandra Cox said...

Happy New Year, Jeanie. May it be a good one.

Martha said...

What a year! It looks like you have a wonderful year despite the things you couldn't do. For the most part it was a good year for me too. A time to take a break, take things slow, and appreciate the little things in life. Of course there were so many horrible things this year too. I can't help but want this year gone. I can't wait for those hugs either, it's the thing I've missed the most! All the very best to you and yours in the new year - cheers!

Calypso In The Country said...

Yes, a tough year but truly so many things to be thankful for! Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy 2021!
Shelley

Evi Erlinda said...

You have done lots of wonderful things.
It is awesome, 23 years together with same smiles of two of you.

Many hopes and whishes for the coming years, Happy New Year!

anno said...

So many happy moments... who'd have thought it possible in 2020! Thanks for the reminder, and hope you've been enjoying that new kitchen to the utmost. Looking forward to seeing what you cook up in the year to come!
Happy New Year!

bobbie said...

Happy New Year, you two!!

Bella Rum said...

No, it wasn't all bad, was it? Certainly different. I feel like H and I have been very lucky. So far, so good. I hope you and Rick remain well, Jeanie. I'm wishing you a healthy and happy 2021.

Sandi said...

Hope. I keep hearing that word! :) I think it will be a hopeful year. Happy New Year, Jeanie!

coffeeontheporchwithme said...

Great post, Jeanie! You wrapped it up very well. I hope you have a nice evening, maybe stay up past midnight? I raise my glass of Josh to you and toast to a decidedly better new year! -Jenn

David M. Gascoigne, said...

As you say, Jeanie, it has been a year like no other, but not without benefits. The litany of problems is well known and bears no repetition from me, but we are still here (most of us) and help is on the way. We can make it. As for Rick, we see in the pictures above the neatly trimmed version, and the wild, devil may care Beethoven reincarnation. Beethoven gets my vote. How about you?

gretchenjoanna said...

Thank you, Jeanie.

That sunset making the lake pink -- my, my, what a glorious scene!

Happy New Year!!

Carola Bartz said...

I just finished my own "look back" before I came to read yours, and I love that you ended your post with hugs as well. That's what I'm looking for!
Thank you for your blogging friendship! Have a safe and healthy 2021 - I hope that you can get the vaccine real soon!

Lowcarb team member said...

What a wonderful look back ...
Looking forward to seeing you in 2021 with lots more posts :)

Here's to a happy and healthy new year.
My good wishes.

All the best Jan

My name is Erika. said...

This is a great post to end the year with Jeanie. 2020 has been tough, but in the tough are some good things. And so far, we have stayed healthy. That is the most important thing of all. I know it is tough for some people who have not had it as easy due to sickness or loss of work, so there are blessings to being in a stable home with food and love. Happy new year Jeanie. I hope your 2021 is great! hugs-Erika

Prims By The Water said...

Happy New Year and lets hope2021 is a better one. Janice

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

This is the kind of post I've been thinking of writing. My muse seems to be sleeping these days. So many blessings all around you, Jeanie! Happy New Year!

Pam said...

Its great to be able to look back on this yr and find good things. Hoping that we all have a better year coming up.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Well said, Jeanie, and your look back on the year was not only interesting, but rang true for many. Despite all the gloominess, there were many good moments in 2020 and in time 2021may be a better and happier year for all, hopefully.

DUTA said...

What a perfect, lovely summary of 2020!
Wishing you a happy 2021 year with good health and prosperity!

Rita C at Panoply said...

Now THAT'S an excellent recap. I love it. Happy New Year!

junemac2 said...

Hello Jeanie , Loved reading all your special moments of 2020. Its a beautiful uplifting post. I am so happy you are doing all the things needed to keep yourself safe and you have a beautiful family. I hope we get to know each other even more in 2021. Happy New year dear friend.
Hugs June x

La Table De Nana said...

Amen:):)
I have no clue what to expect..every day something surprises me..

Hoping..


Take care..as always:)

Joanne Huffman said...

Happy New Year! You wrote a lovely retrospective.

Mereknits said...

Such a wonderful post today. Happy New Year. May 2021 bless us in many ways.

Decor To Adore said...

I wanted to wish you a very Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!

I so appreciate your warm and wonderful friendship. It's hard to believe that it has been almost a year since we last saw one another. Next time you are in D/FW we shall have tea.

Decor To Adore said...

I wanted to wish you a very Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!

I so appreciate your warm and wonderful friendship.

It's hard to believe that it has been almost a year since we last met. Next time we shall have tea!

Victoria Zigler said...

I'm thrilled you're able to find some things about 2020 to look back on with pleasure. Happy new year!

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

You have had an extraordinary number of wonderful blessings this year. Happy New Year!

Rain said...

Happy New Year Jeanie!!! Despite the virus, you look like you had a wonderful 2020! Cheers to gratitude!! :)

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

It’s good to look back and find the good in the midst of one of the most challenging years ever for most of us. I was so happy to throw out my 2020 calendar. We ended it on a positive note with the birth of Will. But I am so happy the year is over and I have the hope of a vaccination in the first half of 2021! I don’t want to tempt fate and say 2020 couldn’t be worse, but I have hope for this new year.

Vagabonde said...

You certainly have done many nice things this year and seen a few people. Since last March hardly anyone has been in my house but my cat. I don’t know what Zoom is by the way. I long for walking here in Nashville but am afraid to, most people don’t wear masks. If, as in your first picture, people had to pay a fine for not wearing one maybe Tennessee would not be one of the worst state for the outbreak. I long for a handyman to come here and place the paintings I brought back from GA last spring – they are waiting on the floor and the walls are bare.

You took and shared many beautiful photos including those from your cottage. Wishing you a great 2021 with lovely outings, fun, good health and contentment.

Divers and Sundry said...

I enjoyed your overview of and reflections on this past year. Yes, it was hard, but -like you- I have joys in my life that carried me through. May the new year being us such joys without all the trials ;) Happy New Year!

Red Rose Alley said...

Happy New Year Jeanie! I look forward to reading more of your heartwarming posts this year. That Autumn picture is beautiful. It looks like a post card. : )

love ya,

~Sheri

The French Hutch said...

Great recap Jeanie! Wishing you and Rick a healthy and Happy New Year!

Sandra at Maison De Jardin said...

Jeanie, what a great recap of a wild and crazy year. 2021 will be better, I just know it will. We will all have such a list of things we want to do once again, that we will be a little crazy trying to do them.

Wishing you, Rick, and Miss Lizzie a Wonderful New Year! It will be lake time again before you can turn around.

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

Well done on the 300+ page family history book. That must have taken some real work! :)

Iris Flavia said...

Yes, it´s been a crazy year, just watched some reviews, it makes one feel exhausted!
So glad you (and me now also) still find events to smile about!
Yes, there was a lot of kindness!
Zoom is still not really here. Looks like fun, as in... an alternative.
And so glad we have our guys, huh!!!
Lizzie´s teeth look a tad threatening! And her eyes in this one, LOL.
A Happy New Year, hopefully!

Lynne said...

Beautiful loving, tender, cheerful message . . .
And filled with what you so easily give . . . love and hope.
Thank You Jeanie.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I had planned to be here earlier, but my electricity went off early in the day yesterday. Wichita got SLAMMED with ice and snow, making 2021’s first day seem more like a day in 2020, rather than the start of a new year. I really enjoyed your post. I've been rather depressed because of being alone for so very long this year, it was good to read how you have overcome that problem. So glad you are leading a full life despite this horrible virus that has taken over our country. Stay safe, stay healthy, dear friend. Keep taking those incredible photos, too.

Jenny Woolf said...

I know so many people who have got a huge amount out of this, ironically. I am not saying it's been fun but it has made us see the world in a different way. I'm certainly appreciating nature more than ever. I used to think winter was kind of dull, but how could I have missed realising that every season has wonderful things? I guess you could say that about life too.

Pamela said...

What a year! Great recap.

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