John Lennon sings, “So, this is Christmas, and what have you done? Another year over and a new one just begun.”
While still in the throes of the pandemic’s grip, I know I am amazed at how quick this year has flown.
What have I done? In our house, growing up, we were encouraged often to recognize what we were thankful for in a year in review.
Well, 2020 Christmas and New Year were spent with just the three of us using Facetime as often as possible to connect with family. So, thank you, technology.
We also celebrated Ukrainian Christmas and two milestone birthdays in our house in January/February, again, with just the three of us. We did however drive to Saskatoon and do a masked, driveway celebration for our daughter’s birthday. Thank you for the freedom to do this as other countries had far stricter lockdowns.
We all got both doses of vaccines and are on the path for boosters to provide further protection. Thank you, science and medicine.
Although spring and summer were exceptionally dry, we did experience a decent garden harvest and, thanks to friends and neighbours, we got to enjoy, and are still enjoying, fresh garden goods.
Summer allowed a little more freedom as many activities could be undertaken outdoors. We got to meet two new babies in the family, celebrate an in-person wedding, enjoy the lake and had the freedom to do so.
We are thankful for the creators of masks, PPE, sanitizer and vaccines as these additional COVID-19 protection measures are not a luxury afforded to all countries nor the marginalized in our own province.
Everyone who was working in our families, remained working. Our health care family members have experienced more stress, overwork and challenges than ever before, however, and we can only hope and pray there will be a resolution to these circumstances.
At my job, we got to be involved in the launch of a new website, SASKTODAY.ca. It has afforded us an even greater ability to tell our community’s great stories in a mobile manner as many people refer to phones and laptops for their news. While a challenging learning curve at times, I am thankful for leaders and mentors who helped us get comfortable with the process.
I am thankful for those people who continue to support our paper in advertising, subscriptions and newspaper purchases.
Events and activities are part of our communities once again. The excitement and enthusiasm by both organizers and participants far outweigh the perceived “inconvenience” of masking, distancing and other cautions now considered normal.
There are simply not enough words or actions to thank health care professionals. Not a single person who isn’t working in this field can imagine what their last two years have been like. Always appreciate them as you will undoubtedly require their care at some point in your life.
Teachers and school staff are the capeless superheroes we also don’t have enough words or actions to thank. Students are experiencing their school days in the new normal and we are hearing laughter and seeing school activities, once again. The occasional positive COVID-19 case has not shown in-school transmission, giving evidence of their tireless efforts to keep the schools safe.
Front-line workers, truck drivers, cleaning staff and so many more we never used to give much thought to, also deserve recognition.
We are thankful for the opportunity to spend Christmas with our kids and to take free rapid tests before we get together. Both options were not available last year. We will follow the guidelines suggested, as we have since March of 2020, because we know that is what keeps us, our families and others around us safe and well.
So, this is Christmas. Not what we have been accustomed to our entire lives but certainly what we have adapted to in the past 21 months.
When this whole thing is over, it will be a “do you remember when” story. Some say this pandemic is like a world reset, and while we have seen some ugly sides of the reboot, we have also seen human kindness in ways we never have before. All you have to do is look.
"Life imposes things on you that you can’t control, but you still have the choice of how you’re going to live through this." — Celine Dion
