I would be telling a lie to say there is nothing to be thankful for in 2020. Have there been challenges during 2020? Well of course there have been numerous challenges; a medical pandemic heightened those challenges. Many plans were postponed or cancelled this year. Plans like seeing one of my best friends get married in person, and not via a video link, on my phone over 900 miles away. This is in addition to plans for a fabulous Vegas trip that were scrapped to celebrate the last days of her being single.
I could look at the negative and be angry that Elizabeth Warren or Jaime Harrison didn’t win Presidential primary or U.S. Senate races in which they ran. I worked as Digital Director during the 2020 election cycle and saw disappointments but I also saw victory. There is a big one with the election of Joe Biden as President-Elect and Kamala Harris as Vice President-Elect. Over the 11 months just in 2020 that I worked on campaigns to elect Democrats, I gained knowledge but most importantly I gained and grew friendships.
Like so many Americans I am uncertain what the future will hold. Actually like so many humans on the planet in general. I look at empty store shelves where just weeks ago toilet paper was in abundance; and wonder when will the coronavirus pandemic end? I think about the children and teachers not to mention the parents struggling with a new normal and method of learning? But then among the confusion I still see eager young minds ready to learn and adopt to new situations.
Today, a good friend and I had the privilege to attend the University of South Carolina Lady Gamecocks Women’s Basketball game. There were only 3,500 tickets available this season and some way the universe saw it fit that we should get some. Yes this may seem self-centered to think that God took time to bless my friend but unique blessings come in all kinds of unexpected forms. It’s silver linings like this that remind me there is some good in 2020.
It’s easy to be discouraged and scared. It’s okay to ask, “why?” And try to figure out what you’re suppose to learn from this year. I have lived long enough to know that the lesson will reveal itself in time. Lessons are not always clear upfront but with time they do become clearer. So on this Thanksgiving Day even with its twisted past be thoughtful about the year and give thanks for the blessings that have squeaked pass the jaws of 2020.
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PaisleyPerspective 