The year 2020 has come to an end and looking back on all the events that have transpired during the year, what a great year it has been for us. Covid has played havoc with our lives and it has had a huge impact on all of us.

I do not want to bore you or depress us any further, but want to share the opposite, all the greatness that has come forward into my life with all the external craziness that the outside world we all endured this year.

The year 2020

As I have been working from home for years now, therefore nothing has changed for me on that aspect. Life has been business as usual in my book. The best part for me, however, was my son did at home virtual learning.

I loved every minute of it. The early morning hug never changed, but I got one at lunch too as we share a quick meal together and have a quick chat. Silly as it may sound, he will be gone to college sooner than I want him to, thus this change of paste and having him with me all day, selfish as it may sound, and yes, it is selfish, I LOVE it.

The relaxing way of life for us was welcomed with open arms. And yes we did miss all of outside life, but with facetime, zoom, skype, we never were out of touch with family and friends.

Something magical happened

The outside world human contact although extremely limited, brought out something magical: more eye to eye contact. More interaction with friends and family. As a matter of fact, I notice a significant change in my son and his friend’s behaviors: they all communicate more verbally rather than via text. They needed that contact and at every opportunity given to them, they would meet, distancing, and mask on, more often than before. The need to have that interaction was greater and sought out more often.

They learned the body and eye communication as well. I saw more smiles shining thru the eye than before. As the eyes are the window to our souls, happiness was shining thru during this covid life, making the best of it.

From my end, I got closer to my brothers and sisters in law. More of quick chats, text to checking in with each other seeing that we all are at the four corners of the world.

What warmed my heart was and is, my friends. We all know our friends, the ones that will get up in the middle of the night for you and the ones that would not. I always considered myself fortunate to have more of the “I will be right there” friends that the ladder.

The daily check-in. The prayer group when something was worrisome and needed that extra spiritual support. The constant show of love. Support in so many forms and shapes. We all got connected on a different level. We became an even more close adopted family. The family is there because they want to not because they have to, which makes a whole world of difference. A better place.

Friends that have not been in my close circle reached out to us giving us love and support.

What I have learned this past year

The mind is a great powerful tool. The rock that allows us to handle any situation. Our determination is another equally important tool. I always look at life with a positive embrace. There is always a positive side of life, small as it may be, but within each trial and tribulation, there is always a great lesson to be had.

In looking at the positive side of any situation lies the beauty. I am grateful for all the little pearls of beauty in my life. We all have problems, however, I choose to concentrate on the good of life ahead of me. At home safe with my son. My loved one safe. A roof over our heads, food on our table, work on the pipeline, good health.

Love too is a strong bond that unites us all, and I cherish it more now than ever.

I also can grow a garden again and with the cooking that I do as a cooking blogger, all the herbs came in handy to eliminate trips to the store and adopt a new way to cook. Simpler and easy for the times that are living thru.

What has come to an end with 2020

Each time negativity was spoken I chose to ignore it. After a few attempt to turn someone else negativity into something more palatable and positive, I give it up to the universe. The best response. I freed myself of something that will never see the light and beauty but drag us down in the dark abyss.

It took me a long time to come to peace with life, peoples and actions and I was not going to allow to get sidetracked. The power was and is in my hands.

All and all 2020 was a year of challenges, love, success, happiness, sadness and unity. We are ready for the new year ahead of us, and thankful to be here today to tell the story.

xoxo

Giangi