2020: The Things You Took and The Things You Gave

2020 has been many things but in an effort to sort it all out I have written this not comprehensive list. To be clear, I am speaking from my own experience of 2020.

Some of the things you took:

The lives of too many citizens of this planet
The life of a friend and a co-worker
So many livelihoods
My parents ability to live independently and thus, their home in Arizona
Full participation from my business partner, Carly
A sense of ‘normal’
Live music and social get togethers
Our annual clients and friends BBQ
Hugs
The spontaneity of meeting new friends
Lots of birthday parties
Our childcare for a good while (thank god they are back and fingers crossed they are able to stay open too)
The thin vale that kept me believing that our healthcare system is to help people.  With that veil removed, I was reminded that our healthcare system is designed to make… profits.

Some of the things you gave:

Three months of recovery and a terrifying rehab experience for my mother Carolyn
A level of anxiety about everyday existence, my health and the health of those around me
Leukemia to my dear business partner of the past 7 years, Carly
The opportunity to share more time with my parents now that they have moved to Portland
A total break from what I thought my life was/is
An opportunity to prioritize my life
A greater sense of injustice to our most vulnerable citizens
A long, raw look at racism in American and how we/I treat and support our people of color in this country
A sense of hope for changes long overdue
Time with my daughter Ruby
Summer popsicles in the yard with our little family
Stress
The return of our babysitter Abby into our little family
The ‘Opportunity’ to cook at home… every night

Thanks for indulging me, these lists are simply cathartic.