I think we can all agree the year 2020 will be marked in our memories for many years to come. For many it will be a year of disappointments. Just like many of you, Kevin and I had many fun things planned and in the blink of an eye we suddenly saw blank spaces in the squares of our calendar.
The virus was just creeping in to Atlanta and we were trying to be optimistic the day we received the email stating the David Foster Concert scheduled in March would be postponed for a while. Well, days later when we received the news our 40th anniversary cruise was cancelled and the new "for a while date " for David Foster is February 21, 2021 we knew we were in for some challenging days.
The first few weeks as I scrolled my face book feed I noticed the posts were filled with fear and disappointment. I was among the contributors believe me. Suddenly after a few weeks I slowly began noticing that people were getting tired and were using this time to come up with creative ways to celebrate. I suddenly saw my cranky face begin smiling as I watched a bridal shower transformed from a party setting to a line of cars driving down the bride's block honking horns and dropping off gifts. That same day I saw a zoom baby shower where families sent gifts to the soon to be mom and watched her open them on her shower date. A Wedding reception that had to be postponed but the marriage still went on in the rain in the yard of the bride and groom.
These stories along with so many others inspired me.
Last Sunday Kevin and I put on our masks and headed to the craft store and bought supplies to paint bird houses. We never would have even thought of painting a birdhouse before and now I sit looking at them and smile. We took a drive to a hiking trail that had 600 steps to climb. Yes, at almost 61 I climbed them all. OK, yes I was out of breath but I did it and honestly I probably never would have attempted it had it not been for trying to find a safe place to go.
Through all of you I learned that we cannot think negative thoughts and suddenly expect our day to miraculously be positive. I have reconnected with so many people now that time has slowed us all down. A few mornings a week I facetime and workout with a dear friend and I am so grateful we reconnected and share thoughts and ways to brighten each others days. The weather is improving and we can take more walks. I see neighbors that have been cooped up and just the other night we bumped into each other and it turned into an hour conversation. I am meeting her at 2:30 to social distance on our outside bench as a matter of fact. These are all celebrations to me!
Remember how stressed the Holiday season was with the huge to do lists? Maybe once we are able to really celebrate again we will remember these days and not let them get us as upset. Better yet, maybe we will still continue these creative ways to celebrate.
Sometimes we spend so much time planning the event and not the occasion. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the details we forget love, feelings and people. As I sit here I now know none of that matters at all.
In terms of the Ryan cancellations, Luckily for us the Lady Antebellum Concert, the Rascal Flatts Concert and let's not forget our 40th anniversary cruise will be refunded at some point and we can use that money to hopefully fill the square boxes on the calendar with other things should this virus settle down.
June was always my favorite month of the year. It is my birthday month and everyone knows I love my birthday. Kevin asked me what type of gift I wished for this year and my answer was simple. All I want is to be able to go to New York and visit my kids. I want hope that I can travel and see my soon to be grand-daughter in November. I want to be able to hug them. Just like all of you grandparents out there. I want to hold mine too.
As I sit here on my balcony with my flowers and colorful birdhouses I think of my 61st birthday cake and see myself blowing out my candles and in my dream I am smiling. My wish is to just stay hopeful!
We all learned that life is a mystery to be lived for sure. We never know what will happen from one moment to another. One thing I do know is it will turn out the way it is meant to. Keep the faith my friends because it is all going to be OK. Each and everyone of us learned the important things in life the past few months. We will be telling these stories to the next generation one day just like our parents told us their tales.
I close my eyes and vision my grand daughter on grandpa's knee as he says "let me tell you about the year you were born little girl." We all learned a new way of celebrating that year! But it was the best year of our lives.
Let's make it a good story to tell those kids my friends. Let's leave the legacy of how it was darn rough but are proud to say we found new ways to celebrate.