There are lots of words to describe 2020:
 scandalous, reprehensible, excruciating,
 nightmarish, merciless, devastating.
 At times it felt apocalyptic,
 like the end of days had come
 and left only scorched-earth.
 There were wild fires and hurricanes,
 murder hornets and the murder of innocents,
 massive protests, political division and mayhem.
 Then there was Covid 19 in a class by itself.
 This pandemic, the like of which we've never seen,
 struck hard and fast, instilling fear and paranoia.
 As we struggled to keep socially distant,
 to quarantine, sanitize, and wear our masks,
 our truest natures were revealed.
 
 
 It was eye-opening to find
 that during a worldwide pandemic
 when people were dying by the thousands,
 there were those who denied its reality
 and fought not to take the precautions
 that might help contain the disease.  
 At the same time healthcare professionals
 waged a ceaseless battle against  
 this serial killer called Covid 19,
 there were those who threw tantrums
 because they were asked  
 to wear a mask and stay home.
 They held huge gatherings without care
 as to how many might be infected  
 because they wanted a good time.  
 We watched selfishness and greed
 reach new levels as people  
 hoarded toilet paper, paper towels
 and hand sanitizer.
 People were saying they  
 couldn't wait till 2020 was over,
 and I wondered what might happen
 when it turned 21 and started drinking.
 
 
 But it wasn't all horror that Covid revealed.
 There was goodness and kindness.
 There were people helping people,
 creating their own limited bubbles to stay safe.
 People donating to food pantries
 that were feeling the strain of so many in need.
 People making masks to give away.
 The greed of some pushed others
 to be even more generous,
 to shout the thank yous to essential workers,
 to support local businesses when able,
 to tip a little more when service was given.
 As if to combat the evil around them,
 many people made it their mission to be kind.
 
 
 The trials we've faced in 2020
 may be blessings in disguise.
 Through the heartbreak  
 we've learned how important it is
 to be in the moment with those we care about,
 to share that embrace with a full heart,
 as if it was our last chance
 because it just might be.
 We've learned a lot about the things  
 we can live without,
 that it's not so much what we have,
 as who we are able to share it with.
 
 
 2020 has been different, for sure,
 a year we won't forget.
 But there is hope on the horizon,
 and with the new vaccines  
 there is a very good chance  
 that soon the miseries of this year
 will become nothing more than
 the memory of a nightmare.
 When we have hope
 we can work together
 to heal our wounded world,
 to repair the tears  
 in the fabric of our democracy,
 to once again become
 the decent, kind, and caring
 human beings we are meant to be.
 
 

May the coming year bring a resurgence of hope to all of us. Let kindness, generosity, and love be our Go-to reactions in 2021.

HAVE A VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR!

Elise Skidmore ©2020

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