My thoughts about this last year.....

Hello everyone, 

I wanted to take a few moments to talk about this last year, 2020. Sometimes I can't even remember things that happened in 2020, it went by so fast and was so traumatic......parts of it remain a blur when I really think about what a unprecedented year it was. I'm sure my life wasn't as sad as many others have experienced though. Who knew a worldwide pandemic would turn everything upside down? We have all kept going and have been doing the best we can, but it is still a very difficult time. My husband and I watch the news and are so saddened by the terrible things that have been happening in the world. We pray constantly that people will be well and that the virus will end. We pray also that people will calm down and feel kindness for one another again. The world is such a beautiful place. It is very sad to see so much anger and hatred and fighting. I hope and pray everyone will realize how short our lives are in the bigger perspective of things and how beautiful life could be for all of us, if we could just get along with one another and be kind and patient. Maybe it just takes a few minutes to get away from something that is toxic or negative and breathe and think to oneself quietly to get your bearings again. How far have we gotten from a good place where things were more normal? I would say the world is pretty close to the edge right now. But, we can back up, walk away, breathe and look around us for something that calms and comforts our spirits and our minds.

I even have to stop sometimes and make myself realize that I need to be calm, too, and not get upset. We all have struggles and hardships, but we are all on this Earth together. The only way we can get through life is by being patient with one another and show love and kindness to each other. How beautiful the world and life would be if more kindness was shared with one another.

Especially with the virus having overtaken the entire world, it is so important to help each other and stop fighting against what needs to be done. There are so many wonderful people who have reached out to others to help them and show thoughtfulness. I am so grateful for those people who are so kind and caring. They are such an inspiration and such a blessing to so many people and even to me, though they weren't helping me directly. It is just their spirit of kindness that touches my heart and helps me want to be a better person. 

This year, my husband and I personally had many difficult times. We closed our antique shop because of Covid. We are both in our early 70's and have some health concerns, so we decided it would be safer to close our shop. It was very sad for us, but we have been alright. We decided to start doing online art classes and have been excited to work on doing a new website to teach how to make our fairy furniture and other works of art from nature.

Also, my mother, who was 93 at the time, fell and broke her hip and needed help. She was unable to care for her home any longer, so we helped her move, which was definitely traumatic for her, but she bravely got through it. I was actually quite amazed that she was able to move from the home she loved and settle in a new home without going through a lot of emotional trauma. It's been very hard for me to see my mother age the way she has, as she was always a very busy, accomplished, vibrant person. I know however that many families experience these difficult things. It makes me think how aging is a very important part of our lives to think about: how we can be healthier and more aware of what's happening to us and how we can be more patient with ourselves and others.

With the pandemic, my husband and I have stayed at home a great deal of the time. We miss how life used to be, as I'm sure everyone does. We are very careful about seeing friends and family. It has been so hopeful that there are vaccines now, so we are very grateful for that. I hope people will be more patient though in waiting for the vaccines. I'm sure it is an extremely difficult challenge to vacinate everyone, so I hope we can be patient and cooperative as these things are worked out. 

I have just wanted to share some of my feelings. With what we are all going through, I think it is good to talk about how we are and what we are going through. I hope you will share your thoughts with us and I hope and pray you are well and finding ways to stay happy and hopeful. There are so many good people in the world and beautiful things to experience and see. I hope you will still find happiness and closeness with the ones you care about and that you will be blessed.

Here are some beautiful photos to help you feel comforted and uplifted.