2020 will be a year remembered in the history books as one of the most devastating and tragic years in not only my lifetime but the lifetime of many others around us. Social unrest coupled with a pandemic that has killed over 1.7 million people with no signs of letting up make 2020 a startling year in contrast to all the other “normal” years of my life.
For the first time ever in my life I have had to deal with death in a personal level, with one friend dying from coronavirus, and another dying from a tragic car accident (most likely coupled with anxiety and depression from lockdowns). I am grateful to have met and experienced life with them, and hope their soul lives on in a happier place. I’m optimistic that 2021 will bring positive news, and am grateful to all the scientists and researchers around the world who have helped to accelerate the process of creating an effective and safe vaccine.
I think it’s sad that a pandemic, which should have brought so many people together, has only helped to deepen and divide the country further. Exacerbated by social media, I hope people can begin listening and talking to one another as individuals and refrain from automatically assuming the other side is the enemy. I too have made the mistake of engaging too much in political discourse to the detriment of many of my friendships. I hope to just become apathetic to the whole process in the future to avoid alienating anyone in the future.
In terms of health, I would say I am doing okay, successfully completing my accutane treatment. I hope to take drastic steps in 2021 to continue lowering my cholesterol and glucose levels in the future. Mentally, I am doing okay, although like many others around me I miss the sense of normalcy that comes with just hanging out with friends without having the prerequisites of worrying about Covid. At the end of the day though, it will only make my reunion with the friends I haven’t yet seen this year all the more grander in 2021.
After a few months of unemployment caused by the closing down of school districts around Orange County, I finally made the transition back from substitute teaching into a full-time teacher again, employed by the Lynwood Unified School District. It’s been refreshing teaching special education students math and science through distance learning. Nothing will ever beat in person instruction, but I am grateful for the job and the connections I have been able to make online through a digital platform. I’m certain that the experiences made this school year will allow me to bridge the gap and finally become employed by a school disrict in Orange County.
And that brings me to the one beacon of joy that has brought me happiness this year. The ability to continue growing my relationship with Katherine and continuing to experience comfortable and new things with her this year has made 2020 still a good year for me personally. The great test of any relationship is whether or not we can continue to maintain our closeness without having to necessarily go on “exciting dates” all the time. Though coronavirus has gotten in the way of many adventures, it will only make adventures of the future even better. I can finally cross off “survive a pandemic” off my bucket list at least.
Happy 50th anniversary to my mom and dad as well, who celebrated yesterday in conjuction with our annual Christmas luncheon. Though not the “perfect marriage”, they represent something I aspire to becoming in the future – although with not nearly as many children.
I hope everyone stays safe and happy in the remaining days of 2020. Here’s to hoping 2021 will bring much needed change, joy, love, and happiness to all those in desperate need of hope for a brighter and better tomorrow.
