300 Days In

     Today I happened upon the fact that we are exactly 300 days in to 2021. Remember when we weren't sure we would make it through 2020? 

    300 days in means we are 65 days away from 2022. That's so surreal to me. When I look back at what the world has been through these passed few years, and what we're still going through, it feels strange to think that we all made it here. I got to thinking what it was that allowed us to make it this far. I decided the answer is each other. 

    When I think back to the beginning of the pandemic, when we were all so unsure and so many people were dying, I think about all the selfless things everyone did. I think about how we all stuck together and supported each other. We celebrated everyone- from grocery store workers, to home care employees, to nurses, to technicians. We believed in each other and we loved each other. That's something I'll never forget. I hope when we tell the next generation the stories of the pandemic, we don't focus so much on the painful parts; let's focus on the beauty of it. Let's not remember the astronomical price of hand sanitizer; let's remember when we all treated one another like heroes. 

    Now in 2021, we face more problems. The whole country is short staffed, stores can't keep food on the shelves, and terrorism is wrecking lives across the world. In the face of all this, I want the world to remember what got us through 2020. Instead of complaining about the wait at the grocery store, thank the workers who are there trying their best. Instead of taking everything you can while it's still there, take what you need for yourself, and give some to a neighbor. 

    My hope for the remainder of 2021 is that we all remember to keep the love in our hearts that got us here. Let's carry it into the new year and see the positive change it can make.