If there’s one big takeaway for me from 2020 it’s that, as humans, we need connection. We crave it. And, when our traditional ways of connecting become tricky or even impossible, we can get wildly creative.
I think of healthcare workers who printed pictures of themselves and pinned them on their scrubs and protective gear to connect with patients so they could see the human behind the face masks and face shields.
I think of the local food banks and shelters, who gently remind us of so many in our community who need more assistance now than ever before.
I think of my kids’ teachers who moved their entire lesson plans to virtual and yet somehow show up every day with the same enthusiasm and passion for connecting with their students as they do in person.
And I think of my own neighborhood and how there may have been no summer pool parties, book clubs, or backyard barbecues, but yet somehow our sense of community has never been stronger. Back in the spring, when the stay-at-home orders went into effect, my family and I started taking more walks and bike rides in our neighborhood. The first thing we noticed is that we weren’t alone. At all times of day, we saw neighbor after neighbor out doing the same thing. Getting out of the house for a little while to connect with nature, and connect with one another with a friendly greeting or wave.
I think 2020 forced us all to get small, and that’s not a bad thing. Because when we get small, we come to realize that everyone else is small right alongside us. And that can be a great comfort and even provide some much-needed hope when the world feels uncertain and a little upside down.
It’s impossible to predict what the next year holds. But what I know for sure is that connections matter. And we are the single biggest determinants of how strong those connections are.
As the year comes to a close, I want to thank you for your business, but more importantly, I want you to know how very grateful I am for your friendship and for the connection we’ve made this year. I look forward to working with you and helping you in any way I can in 2021 and beyond.
Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season and a wonderful New Year!
With gratitude,
Dana
