2020 is gone. For many of us, its departure could not come soon enough.
The year started with this strange new virus called “2019 novel coronavirus”, quickly shortened to “Coronavirus” or “COVID-19”. It quickly took over the entire year.
In mid-March, it officially made its way into Michigan, and we watched as it took its toll on people and business. Many businesses had to cut back (yes, including the one I’m at), while many others had to close for a while.
Too many of those are not coming back.
I had hoped to be able to get out and about more and explore more of the beauty of the Upper Peninsula, but restrictions and closures and too much to do at work prevented almost all of that plan. A return trip to New England to visit with family this past summer was also a casualty of this invisible threat.
And then there was my own health scare. Just a nice little reminder that I am not really in control. Fortunately, things were quickly brought back under control and I’m doing very well now.
Then my youngest daughter, out of the blue, asked me an odd question: “Are you coming back home for a visit?”
She then let me know that she was pregnant, and really wanted Mom and I to be back when the day came to welcome our new grandchild. It was a month or more before we found out that it would be a granddaughter we’d be welcoming.
Christmas week seemed like the right time, so we started making plans.
Plans that Covid canceled.
Despite that, and despite a pandemic, life in general continued forward. Not in the way we wanted, not in any way we had ever seen, but it did continue on.
But 2020 had a last minute surprise for me and my family.
At 2:41 PM on New Years Eve, Julianna Rose-Lynn made her appearance.
Isn’t she lovely.
I’m already making plans to see her in person this summer.
