Day 366

(Originally posted on my FB page)

Walking as far away from you, 2020.

Oh, wow, 2020. Where do I start? 

We began this year full of hope that it will be one of the better years but it turned out to be the year that people will remember in a long time and not for good reasons. I will never forget you, for you have taken people from us, our jobs, our plans, our life’s little joys. But most of all, you have taken our sense of normalcy; you have given us a global pandemic that halted our lives in ways I could never imagine. It’s a year like no other, and I do wish that as we end the year today, so will everything that made this year seem like a bad game of Jumanji. 

I thought this is the year that I will thrive because 2019 had been quite a sleepy year for me. I thought 2020 is a chance to start and make it all better. Instead, it was my bleakest year in recent memory. Then again, being the “glass half full”-person most of the time, I’d rather end 2020 thinking of my takeaways rather than the losses. 

This year, I learned the value of family more than ever. Being stuck with them for nine months, most of the time sending me to my wits’ end, I also realized that when it all boils down, I get my strength from them. 

I also learned to forgive more and not hold any grudges, because the saying, “Life is too short” is probably this year’s biggest lesson. I’ve mended relationships that were broken, but also ended some that I feel are no longer good for me. 

2020 made me realize the value of having a job and it made me love my job even more. That I should quit whining over my petty inconveniences, because the important thing is at least I still have one. 

Spending most of the year at home curled up in bed, I realized the simple pleasures that I have taken for granted before, such as having a coffee with a friend, bringing my nephews to the mall, attending parties and get-togethers, traveling out of town, watching movies, etc. When this is all over, which I hope it will soon, I will be doing all of these more often. 

This year taught me a lot of lessons about empathy, to understand other people’s struggles and losses. To not think about myself all the time and stop complaining because I had it better than most people. I have had relatives and friends who lost someone they love this year and I know that while there’s nothing much I can do to ease their grief; I know my silent prayers for them will help them get through. 

Truly, I have learned a lot this year but I can’t wait for this year to come to a close. That line from the movie, Forrest Gump: “Don't you just love New Year's? You get to start all over. Everybody gets a second chance.” — is something that rings true to me. New Year is an opportunity for a reset. A new slate. And while we’re still on an uphill climb and many aren’t very optimistic that 2021 could get any better, let’s pray it will. If not, let’s ask for strength to face other challenges that will come our way.

Goodbye, 2020. Please don’t come back in any other shape or form, EVER.