Thank you, 2020 for waking us up.
For reminding us basic hygiene rituals are important.
That going into the office or school while sick shouldn’t be normal.
And that we are severely burnt out.
Thank you, 2020 for reminding us that Black Lives Matter. Black Trans Lives Matter. And that justice and anti-racism work never stops. And that we can come together as people, and make change. Yet there’s still more work to be done.
For showing us that if we advocate, communicate and educate, we can get the highest voter turnout ever.
And that we can see a sliver of hope at the end of dark tunnel we’ve been in for four years.
Thank you, 2020 for accelerating technology to enable us to be better connected in our corporate worlds. And for leveling the playing field for those who already were.
For bringing more empathy to restaurant, retail and service industry workers who work harder than any of us.
Thank you, 2020 for challenging us all.
For bringing to light the hard, grueling work that health care and education professionals face every day. For showing us how we continue to force them into worse situations, under-appreciate and underpay them.
And for reminding us that our health and education systems need serious rethinking.
Thank you, 2020 for getting the masses on board with the idea of supporting small businesses, shopping local and putting emphasis on Black, brown and Indigenous-owned.
For forcing us to appreciate our homes, who we live with and who we don’t, and focusing our attention on those who matter.
Thank you, 2020 for making (most) of us change our vacation, holiday or gathering plans.
And showing us new ways of connection, new ways of exploring and taking stock of the little things.
Truly, it’s the little things that matter.
Bus rides, crowded city streets, laughs over a cocktail or feeling whimsical and excited from a new place.
For challenging us in physical, emotional and mental ways. And stretching our comfort zones, expanding what we thought our needs were.
Or who we were. Are.
Thank you, 2020 for tough conversations with friends, family, coworkers and ourselves that need to happen.
For letting the quiet be OK.
For letting the slow bring comfort.
For sacrifice, gentleness with ourselves and challenging expectations.
For showing the world that we can all go through something together. Even if it’s terrible.
And for letting the silent screams of Mother Earth be heard.
Change is needed in every possible way.
Thank you, 2020 for waking us up. For waking me up.