Amy Lu's View

I expected 2020 to be a “big year.” 

My reasoning was a little superficial–2020 was full of big milestones: Turning 50, our 25th Anniversary, and the 20th anniversary of my mom’s death (obviously not a happy milestone but an important one). I wasn’t really sure what “big” meant or what I thought it would look like, but we did have a trip planned to explore Washington State’s San Juan Islands.

So yeah, the trip didn’t happen, and our anniversary celebration was decidedly lowkey (I did get a lovely birthday bash in before lockdown–although without lockdown, I probably would have had at least a couple more). 

But of course, 2020 was a BIG YEAR–or a something year. It was definitely an important year, a defining year. 

I just wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t attempt to do some reflective blogging as 2020 turns into 2021. Yeah, it does feel pretentious and presumptuous and self-absorbed to blog about 2020 when it was a horrible, lonely, depressing, scary and oppressive year for many–so, so many. I’m only attempting to write about my experience in this post (and any previous or subsequent posts about 2020–or anything, really) as an incredibly lucky, privileged, white, middle-class and middle-aged experience.

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So, for inspiration in trying to make sense of, or at least acknowledge, 2020, I’m using/modifying questions posed to the audience of one of our favorite radio shows/podcast, “Live Wire.”

I’m going to start with:

What’s a positive change you want to keep from this time?

• Taking more walks (even/especially in not “ideal” weather) and getting to know my neighborhood better
• Going to local parks (city, county and even State)
• Not having as much FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
• Starting to declutter our house
• Being a diligent fan of the TBTL podcast and Live Wire Radio
• Doing more solo singing while accompanying myself on keyboard
• Rocking the athleisure look more often and wearing the many race shirts I have
• Keeping connected with church friends I’ve gotten to know better through our various Zoom gatherings

And perhaps, most importantly, I want to keep appreciating small comforts and getting more excited about “little” things. Even though I can’t even think of any good example of this, or any “new” comforts in 2020–I just have this sense that I did appreciate things more and I don’t want to lose that. Yes, little, ordinary things like good coffee and soft fleece and purring cats and sunshine. (And yes, mid-level bourbon and red wine). I hope 2021 is full of these gifts and that I am wise and present enough to appreciate them.