By Natalie Taylor
Recently I saw a clever comment about this year’s final celebration: “I definitely intend to stay up past midnight this New Year’s Eve. Not so much to welcome the New Year, as to make sure that 2020 leaves!”
I’d say most of us agree with that sentiment. This has absolutely been one of the worst years in human history, it’s only claim to fame is in being counted as one of the top three in that category. For U.S. citizens, this has been an especially stressful political year. Well, we finally have the chance to give this unwanted visitor the boot!
As we look forward to a new, post-pandemic era, let’s recall all that we will not miss about this past year:
- Constant fear of contagion
- Washing grocery packages, fruits and vegetables to death
- The smell of disinfectant
- Having to go through “health check points” whenever you drive into your town
- Digital thermometers
- Latex gloves
- Washing your hands to the tune of Jolene, Jolene (20 second duration)
- Not seeing the smiling faces of your delivery men
- Not being able to high five your opponents and partners after a tennis or soccer match
- Not being able to play your regular games of tennis and/or soccer!
- Forgetting your mask and having to go back home because you can’t come into the store/bank/grocery shop/restaurant
- Breaking into a cold sweat whenever you or your spouse cough/sneeze/have a “bit of a headache,” feel tired or experience the slightest change
- Social distancing
- Having dinner with friends outside, after having measured out 10 feet between couples
- And finally, what we will not miss: virtual…everything!
Let’s welcome the New Year and hope that it brings back—even if it takes a few months—all of the good things we used to enjoy. Let’s once again have warm hugs between friends, close conversations sotto voce, visits to the gym, manicures, haircuts, trips on airplanes, dancing, playing cards and board games (in person!), music concerts, the theater, lectures, round table discussions, spontaneous get-togethers in the Jardin, dinners for a bunch around your dining room table–the list just goes on and on. But most of all, let’s look forward and rejoice in more hugs and kisses among friends!
Happy New Year and a warm welcome to 2021!