At the end of every year, I write an article about my reflections on the year that had passed, as well as welcoming the New Year. The year of 2020 is not an exception, and an interesting one to reflect on, to say the least.

My year started on a good and positive note, just like it did for most of us. We had our goals and plans for the year ahead, some of us had their New Year’s resolutions written down and planned out. However, then came March of 2020, and things have changed a lot for everyone. Covid-19 pandemic had an impact on everything that we do each day, both in our place of business, as well as at home. Most businesses went virtual, so many of us had to learn how to work in remote setting from home, while tending to day-to-day personal life at home. Because schools closed in March-April, children had to transition learning remotely via Zoom. Not only it was different and in some cases very challenging for kids, it was equally if not more difficult on parents, because, not inly, as parents, we had to perform our regular jobs virtually, we also had to become teachers for our children, especially your children in K-5 .We had to get kids ready in the morning, make breakfast, set up their computers for Zoom calls, be next to them most of the day, helping with navigating technology issues and keeping them focused in-front of pc most of the day. While parents were helping kids with their school and homework, we were tending to and expected to deliver against our daily job requirements and expectations. A great deal of stress was placed on children and parents during the pandemic, still ongoing as I am writing this article.
I can only imagine how much more difficult it was/is for parents who are unable to work remotely, because they are essential workers whom we rely on every single day. These are brave doctors and nurses, firefighters, police officers, inspectors, grocery store employees, and many other professions that I cannot recall now. Not only did they have to work outside of their homes, but also, they need to arrange and manage their children’s education remotely. So, to all essential workers out there, thank you for everything that you do, and thank you for your service.

Another thing that changed this year is that we had to learn how to communicate with each other virtually, and to practice social distancing, which was the term that many of heard for the very first time in 2020. This was big change, especially when we all were so used to traveling domestically, as well as internationally for business and for leisure, taking vacations and visiting friends and family. With pandemic we had to maintain our communication with other people, including family members not living in the same household as we are from a distance of at least 6 feet. Not being able to visit your relatives and friends, give them a hug, enjoy great food together was/is hard for all of us. Seeing your favorite restaurants and businesses going out of business due to pandemic was/is difficult to observe, especially knowing that many people lost and continue to lose their jobs as a result.

There were many difficult and challenging changes and situations we all had to face due to covid-19 pandemic, however, there were also many positive changes and situations that happened this year. For example, many of us can spend more time at home with our immediate family, our kids, and engage in many fun activities together, such as: building something, drawing, playing board games, playing outside, not something that we were able to do when many of us worked form the offices or traveled for business regularly. We spent more time outside walking, running, fishing, riding bicycles than we ever did before. Some of us were able to complete seriously overdue home repairs and improvement projects. Many of us have adopted cats and dogs from animal shelters to keep us company, and to give a loving home to a wonderful pet, welcoming a new family member into our homes.

So, despite all the challenges and difficulties that we all had to face this year (2020), there were many good and positive changes that took place in our lives at the same time. Therefore, it is my goal to leave everything bad and negative that happened in 2020 behind, and only take all that is good and positive into the new year of 2021.
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I want to wish for everyone to be happy, healthy, and successful in the new year, and I hope that you accomplish many great things that would bring you and your family, and your friends many great memories and happy moments to reflect on one year from now. Happy holidays and Happy New Year of 2021!