What has 2020 taught you?

What has 2020 taught you?

I’m not talking the short, simple or sarcastic answers. But for real. If it hasn’t taught you anything then something as wrong.

Yes in many, many ways 2020 has sucked. So many plans cancelled or changed, so much time with friends and family lost due to quarantine, so many inconveniences. And that’s all they were inconveniences.

Because on the other hand so many families learned to slow down and actually spend time together inside their homes rather than focus on everyone else outside of their home. So many people have gotten outside and enjoyed what mother nature has to offer. So many people have learned to actually treasure life and each other.

I still disagree with so much about this virus but what I’ve learned is that we have to figure it out. Why are we still dealing with it 4+ months later when so many other countries have moved on. (And please don’t comment with stuff about masks because I’m not debating that, this is SO much more than a mask issue). There are so many more things wrapped up in this that somehow we have to deal with, conquer and find a way to move past. Our human spirits need it, our economy needs and our country needs it.

But even more than Covid I have learned that to so many black lives still don’t matter…and how ridiculous is that. It’s not that I never cared before it’s that I didn’t realize that by living my life as a non racist but being naive to how others felt I was being complacent. Just the simple fact that this is still such an issue in 2020 so many years after the civil rights movement should be a red flag to everyone.

And this is not just a police issue, it is so much bigger than that. Not only are there still racist asshole cops, and the criminal justice system totally sucks but just in everyday walks of life we still have people being mistreated and looked upon negatively because of their skin color. Ridiculous. There is no excuse for it. None.

It is no longer enough to just say you agree or to sit by silently and say nothing. As human beings we ALL should be concerned, outraged, enlightened and be taking a stand. I could preach about this all day but I won’t. I will just say open your eyes, open your hearts and stand up for what’s right. Don’t continue keeping people in your circle because they are family, friends, long time acquaintances, coworkers, etc if they do not believe in the value of human life and common decency.

Sure you can disagree about things, (just ask my friend Traci, her and I have conversations often on topics we don’t agree on) and this country needs more of that. That is how you become educated and more knowledgeable. BUT if we are talking about basic human rights here….there should be NO compromise and you owe it to yourself to disassociate from those who have such ridiculous thoughts.

We had a great and long conversation with our adult children and their significant others last weekend about the state of our country. Believe me when I say these country folks are preparing on the mountain for whatever may come and being able to provide and protect our family. But we talked about more than that and when we have these conversations it always makes me proud to know how great these kids are.

If you are someone who sticks to stereotypes then you see my son as a big, strong, white, redneck. Pure and simple. But if you know him, you know he is educated, smart, caring and compassionate and cares first and foremost if you are a cool and decent person….he could care less what you look like. He never has. But talking to him and seeing how he has grown thru all of this is amazing for us as parents. He should be an example to us all.

Sure you can go back thru old posts and say I didn’t always say what I say now or feel like I do now. But that is the point. Growth. We should all try it.

So what have you learned from 2020?