No one should argue that 2020 has been a most interesting and horrifying year. Initially we figured that we here in Canada, smack-dab in the prairies, would be mere observers to the pandemic that was taking a toll across the oceans.
And then suddenly we went from observers to participants, locking ourselves away from friends and family, and watching the nightly national news to keep abreast of the virus as it moved through North America.
With an unusual Christmas behind us, it is a foregone conclusion that the new babe of 2021 will not be met with celebrations of fireworks and large parties. Instead that toddler will be greeted with cautious optimism, with hope that the light far down a dark tunnel will become brighter and brighter as vaccines are distributed and the virus might be brought under control.
At the end of normal years one tends to look back and share memories of what went right and wrong. Resolutions for self-improvement are also documented as a guideline for how the new year might unfold — a better diet, new job, new home, kindness to strangers, forgiveness for past deeds — remember those resolutions from the end of 2019?
While it is tempting to grump and groan about what didn’t happen in 2020 — all the events that were cancelled, the travel restrictions, even the tirades from folks who insisted COVID is a hoax — starting a new year on a more positive note seems the way to proceed.
So, what follows is my list of some of my better moments of 2020:
1. January to late March was exactly what was expected of winter in a prairie city. The snow wasn’t that difficult to abide, especially with great neighbours who always show up with shovels and limber backs. And temperatures were not oppressive, allowing one to wear lighter winter garb.
2. I was in curling heaven in February as we attended some of the Scotties Tournament of Hearts at Mosaic Place. I admit to spending more time gawking at everything going on around us, rather than the action on the ice. While eating at a local restaurant after those games, we had the good fortune to chat with a Curling Canada official who kindly gave us tickets for another game, in a prime location to see the ice as well as to still take in our surroundings.
3. Someone was looking out for me on March 21, the day another driver wanted to be in the same spot I was already occupying on the road. My bruises eventually faded, with only a few aches still lingering. I received excellent care and attention from ambulance attendants, city police, emergency room staff, nurses and doctor, the X-ray technician, and CT scan technician. My vehicle received excellent attention from the tow truck company, but alas, it went to the scrap heap long before its time.
4. We ventured out on some day-trips after replacing my vehicle and enjoyed the idea of breathing different air and seeing a world outside of our environs. Drivers on rural roads seemed to wave in friendly greeting more often than usual. Almost like they too enjoyed seeing someone else on the road.
5. Housemate reconnected with a second cousin who now lives in South Africa and while he couldn’t see me, he told me I sounded much, much younger than he knew me to be. I suspect that flattery was to make up for the time he pulled the tails off my ornamental mice magnets on the fridge. He was about five years old and I have held a grudge ever since. But flattery will get me every time. And he and Housemate spend considerable time on their cell phones texting, talking and sharing photos.
6. At the end of summer, it became our avenue’s turn for water main replacement. It was the best entertainment of the year as we watched in awe and admiration as operators of those massive machines put their equipment to work. I’m still a bit miffed that most of our neighbours got new sidewalks and grass for their boulevards while we didn’t. But what good news to see the city has decided to finance a plan to replace tired sidewalks sometime in the future. We enjoy our new pavement but still hold out hope that that bump at the end of the street will be fixed in the spring.
7. It was a joy to watch students return to school and see them take an interest in the construction on the street. I know some of them would have enjoyed moving aside the barriers to romp in the excavation and slide down the mounds of dirt. Eagle-eyed teachers and parents would have none of it.
8. Christmas was a party for two, the first time in 51 years we have not celebrated with family and friends. But those friends and family members stayed in touch, phoning, texting or e-mailing to ensure we were safe and sound and having a happy holiday.
9. Oh, one more thing: with visitors unable to make surprise visits over the holidays, the dust bunnies also enjoyed a stress-free celebration. But beware: I do have a new Swiffer just waiting for some action.
Happy New Year everyone.
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
