2020 was a long, dark, lonely year. We’ve been isolated in Vermont, away from friends and family, and it seemed like each month introduced a new challenge (not the good kind). In early January, our two cats were spayed and both developed infections that tortured us for a month. One got so bad, we ended up at the office after hours holding the incision together while the vet stapled her little belly. Then in February, we both got the flu, or so we think. Then in March, I found myself answering the COVID-19 hotline and being redeployed at work to help in other areas. Before long, the pandemic was in full swing. Fast-forward to December, when we finished off the year with a basement full of sewage after the city’s line backed up and soaked the carpet and walls with black water. When I say 2020 was “shitty,” I literally mean it.
With regards to recreation, we didn’t get out as much as we usually like to, most hikes were just the two of us, and we stayed pretty close to home. We opted not to photograph weddings or travel far to minimize risk of catching or spreading COVID-19. Ted works from home full time, so our sporadic hikes were essentially the only time he gets to leave the house since I do the grocery shopping on my on-site days at the hospital. I know a lot of people have taken to the trails during the pandemic, and I don’t blame them at all. Without my trail time, I’d lose my mind.
I know that the changing of the year doesn’t erase the current issues, but I’d like to think 2021 will be a better year. 2020 didn’t exactly set the bar very high either…
In only two weeks, 2021 has delivered more days with summits above the clouds than not - which, perhaps, is only cool for the hikers who climb high enough in the right place, at the right time, to see it. For everyone else, it just looks like a prolonged period of cloudy, overcast weather. I guess it’s all how you look at it, and how much work you’re willing to put in. It’s always sunny if you climb high enough, right?
2020 was rough, and I am hopeful that 2021 will balance the scale a bit, because we could all use some brighter days. Here’s to hoping these beautiful sunrises and undercast treats are an indication of good things to come, and to appreciating the big and little things in life.
