Tis The Season...

As we come to the close of 2020, I wish to reflect on the good that this strange year has brought, and send my thoughts to those who have very much struggled through this year, especially during this holiday season. 

I am thankful to be gainfully employed, and even busy, as so many others are not.  I also think of those who have managed to balance being a mom, a dad, a grandparent as well as a cook, teacher, principle, nurse, housekeeper and playground director all while doing their Full-Time Job while working from home. Give yourselves a big round of applause, you survived!

For those of you who know me well, you know I try to look for the best in every situation.  Making lemonade out of lemons. And this year, on a personal level, I have received alot of lemons.  Before Covid, I needed to be home, and then Covid hit, and I had to be home. Normally I fly well over a 100,000 miles a year.  This year I was less than 8K.   I don't think I traveled this little in 25 years! Nominating this as Blessing #3, because Blessing # 1 is being employed, and #2 is surviving WFH with kids, husband and pets all at home all the time! Honestly, this allowed me to be home to help work through all those lemons and add a little sugar to the mix.

My time "grounded," enabled me the time to spend more quality time with both my kids and husband, while still doing work tasks. I no longer felt like I had to choose who to spend time with or if that free time should be used to get my house cleaning completed, or feel guilty for not being on the road to have those face to face meetings. More and more customers, partners, engineers became comfortable with doing meetings on Teams, ZOOM, Skype, Webex, Good2Meeting.  We all had to become more creative in problem solving and gathering the information that we usually only gathered when face to face. I was also able to connect with my of my industry colleagues through the SMTA Webinars and Networking Events. Especially love having time with the SMTA Water Cooler Fridays and the Wine down Wednesdays. Blessing #4 is pretty big!  

As time went buy, it became apparent COVID lockdown/restrictions where not going away anytime in the near future. This create an opportunity to create both internal and external content to help strengthen our team and customers knowledge, and my own knowledge!  Many of the tools created by our team were completed without having to juggle travel at the same time. That was absolutely Blessing #5.  

By the end of May, still was still no travel, more and more webinars (my ears hurt). Trips that were scheduled, usually canceled due to new restrictions and lockdowns. Kids home from school with virtual learning. Big, big sigh, we needed a little more sugar in our lives.  That is when my family decided to go crazy and bought 2 adorable lab puppies.  They are the ones in the photo above. Can't tell you the happiness generated to us, our kids, our neighbors, and even my co-workers. They find it funny when I say "Sorry guys, had to stop the puppies from eating my stairs again". Stressful call? Go pet the puppies. Frustrated with the kids? Let the puppies kiss your face. Difficult cleaning issue? Ha, go clean up the puppies' latest mess. This is Positively Blessing #6. 

I had the pleasure of serving on the SMTA board of Directors for 6 years. During that time, I met even more people that not only respect and admire for their technical knowledge, but I also consider many of the SMTA family, just that, family. Covid has given many of us the opportunity talk together more, help each other solve problems, and connect others that can also help them. They are family. They I work in a very close nit industry, electronics manufacturing. Unlike many industries, when I go to a show or conference, I would say the most of us know each other by first name, and some of you I have met your better half (just kidding) and your kids, all around the globe. People are eager to mentor and help another person, without compromising IP. I had a chance to give back to the organization that has given me so much. I am proud of what we accomplished during my six years, and the friendships I have developed through the years. I have always thought this is a blessing. Covid Allowed me to get in touch with so many more chapter members, because I was sitting at my desk instead of being on an airplane. That is solid Blessing#7!

So as we start to wind down 2020, I reflect that while this was a strange year in many ways, terrible many, many ways. Filled with conflict, anger, hatred, loss, instability and the list can go on. No doubt there where many lemons handed to millions of people. At the same time, 2020 was filled with more blessings than I have shared with you today and I hope you can say the same. Every time I start to have my own little pity party, I am reminded of the many people who are suffering tremendously due to Covid:

• Added mental health stress for someone who already is struggling.
• Added responsibilities due to restrictions at work and more needs at home.
• Financial strain due to salary cuts, loss of their job, or governor closing a business. and let's not forget, if you are required to work out of the home, someone has to help with the kids and school.
• Loss of a family member or friend.
• Not having anyone to talk to professionally, at work or personally.

While the last 12 months have personally been the most difficult months i have faced in my life, the time together at home and all these blessings I have received have strength both my work family team and my personal family team. I am beyond thankful for these blessings.   Don't get me wrong, I am ready for 2020 to be over. And praying 2021 is nothing like it.

I personally wish each and everyone one of you: peace, health, happiness, and strength as we move into the next year.  I hope you too, can turn any lemons you have received into lemonade!  I think there are many more blessings to come from 2021. Here’s to seeing you all face to face in 2021!

PS. Life maybe difficult, but it is worth living and finding the sugar where ever you can. If you ever need an ear to listen, I am here, send me an IM.