So, roughly a year ago, I was musing about All The Things I'd done in the 2000s to date, and wondering about what 2020 would bring. A global pandemic was not something that I anticipated, mind you.
2020 was a weird year. There's no other way to describe it. It showcased some of the worst things about humanity (physical confrontations over the last packet of toilet paper in the shop; people declaring their "freedoms" more important that following medical advice), but it also showed the best. People delivering groceries for random strangers. Drive-by birthday parties. New ways to celebrate long-standing traditions, like lighting up the dawn on ANZAC Day.
Last year also shone a light on the disconnect between science and the general population. The ongoing changes and updates to scientific and medical advice were seen as a sign that scientists and medical professionals didn't know what they were doing. For the record, those changes and updates were good evidence that science was working just as it should - when new information came to light, it led to changes in the advice.
And who could have predicted that we'd have one vaccine ready to go by the end of the year, let alone multiple vaccines? That is the result of an extraordinary effort all over the world by multiple groups of sciences and medical professionals. It's an amazing feat that really should be celebrated.
Interesting, though, are my children's thoughts on 2020. I sat down with them yesterday and asked the three of them the same few questions about the year. I've been doing this for years and have an ongoing 'diary' for each of them that I update each year. Yesterday, not one of them mentioned COVID. There were no complaints about staying home or being isolated. My eldest made lots of comments about how awesome it was to have guinea pigs and how much she loves them. The middle kid's highlight and happiness was all around getting roller skates and learning to skate. And my son told me how exciting it had been to go to Kindy, and how he can't wait to start school later this month.
And it was like that all year. Sure, they complained occasionally about the things that were cancelled (school, parties, sports, activities). But mostly it was about the good. They all talked about their friends. Skyped with some for ages. Told me how much fun it had been to walk around the horse park near our house and talk to the goats who are in the next paddock. They talked about climbing trees together, drawing chalk pictures on the driveway, painting rocks to leave around the neighbourhood.
Now, I understand that we were luckier than most. Infection rates and illness here never got out-of-control. We had no change to our income. My husband could work from home easily and safely. We live in a safe area with reliable services. We had all the food that we needed, the ability to go outside and walk, things to do to entertain ourselves. And my kids remember those parts. They remember being together and having fun.
So, that will be my take away from this rather unusual year - that it was all about being together at home with the people I love best.
Happy New Year.
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