It's Time to Say Goodbye to 2020

 It's time to say goodbye to 2020.

I'm not sad to see you go.

A year of an out of control pandemic that took the lives of over 1.8 million lives worldwide, including approaching 350,000 here in the United States.

A year when an out of control narcissist and dictator-wannabe tried to challenge our most cherished institutions (you know, like Democracy).  Ultimately, he was not successful, but that's not to say he didn't do considerable damage on his way out the door.

A year of the weird and the wild, including murder hornets, mysterious monoliths, the Tiger King, and so much more.

A year when we discovered the brave, courageous hearts of so many of us, as so many risked their lives to maintain our healthcare system, to protect us, to keep us in groceries and basic supplies, to educate our children.

A year when we discovered how horribly divided we were, as 74 million voted for the most unfit leader in American history, one clearly responsible for the severity of the pandemic we have and are experiencing here.  They ignored all that and voted for him anyway.  Worse, millions ignored health protocols, refusing to wear masks, and insisting on gathering together, exposing everyone to greater danger and death. For these people, personal liberty was more important than social responsibility. And that is the most monstrous truth about 2020.

Some of the things that faded in 2020 and may or may not come back, at least not to where they were - movie theaters, indoor restaurant dining, cruise ships, attending worship services.

Some of the things that increased in 2020 - restaurant drive-thrus, grocery pick up and delivery, ZOOM meetings, Netflix and chill, absentee ballots and early voting.  

As we come out of the pandemic in 2021 (fingers crossed), I think some of our changes will stay.  The trend towards fast food pickup and delivery increased before the pandemic - it just accelerated already existing trends.  A new model for opening movies, via streaming services, was discovered, and it may replace movie theater attendance, at least enough to make it difficult for many movie theatres to remain viable.  Cruise ships were disease Petri dishes even before the pandemic - they should fade away, but I can't say for sure.  Attending church is, frankly, a developed habit, and many marginal church-goers may have been broken of that habit,

I'm not fond of meetings, period, but ZOOM meetings I have particular trouble with.  I don't like the idea of being seen like I'm part of the Hollywood Squares, and I have a hard time even figuring out when to break in and talk.

On a personal level, I worked part-time, and Alsion worked full-time.  That wasn't much different for us.  COVID-19 swirls around us, closer and closer. We are prayfully thankful that Alsion's parents and other vulnerable people we know have remained safe.  But we do know people who have been sickened and a few that have died.  

Our area has been particularly stubborn about COVID protocols, and as a result, the number of cases here has continued to increase. It was a great joy to see (via GPB - Georgia Public Broadcasting) our local county's school football team win the state championship in an exciting and instant-classic overtime game.  It was heartbreaking to see so many there ignoring COVID safety protocols.

But 2021 is almost here.  A new year, offering new hope that we can turn things around.  There are vaccines.  The orange clown will soon be gone, vanished to one of his crappy resorts, and we can ignore his twittery bellyaching.

Tonight, my family will play board games, fix homemade pizzas and icebox lemon pie, watch a movie or two, try to find something entertaining on to watch the ball drop (usually flipping back and forth between several programs), try to keep the dogs calm while neighbors mess with fireworks, and then stagger in to bed a few minutes after midnight.

Goodbye to 2020!

Don't let the door hit ya where the Trump vote split ya!

Prayers and love to you all from the Strait clan for a better 2021!