Grateful

A testing and challenging year comes to an end. I hope some of the challenges we faced this year are over and we come out better and stronger in 2021.

The optimist in me looks at the positives from this year and I feel grateful.

This is not to disregard the massive struggles and loss of lives, unbelievable sacrifices people made and continue to do so, but feels like the world needed a break, a much-needed breather from the rat race.

Humanity found new heroes in our health care workers, people who put themselves out there serving others from supermarkets, gas stations to bus drivers, food delivery teams, the list goes on. They continued to serve others when we were home safe. I was the recipient of their services and I thank them from the bottom of my heart. They made my life so much easier when so many other things were difficult.

The fluff in life disappeared and appreciation was found on what essential means in life. Those who live away from their families, found new appreciation of what family means. We take a lot for granted and hopefully we don’t anymore.

I saw compassion and genuine need to care for others whose lives were and are impacted, at government, corporate and at personal level.

Many see this was the worst year, but I think to myself, what about those who lost a loved one before. What about those who struggles year after year, day after day to barely survive. What about those who go through horrible experiences. For many the challenge and pain will continue in different ways. We can all pray for them.

The year comes to an end, and we can look ahead only with hope.

I am deeply grateful to be alive, healthy, with a livelihood that pays my bills. I am extremely humbled to live in a country that took really amazing care of its people during this tough time and continues to do so. It is a real privilege to be living here. I continue to pray for everyone who is struggling with a hope that coming days are far far better and that they flourish and prosper in ways they never imagined.