This has been the hardest year of my life. That's not hyperbole. One year ago I had no clue what we were all in for in 2020. On Sunday March 15 I heard the governor of our state announce that schools would be going to distance learning. My job was turned upside down and inside out. The murder of George Floyd on March 25 at the hand of Minneapolis police officers occurred 5 blocks from our house. The stress from the protests, riots, burnings, curfews spilled into the rest of the summer along with heightened racial tensions. The 2020 election ramped up into high gear this summer after the nation political conventions and both side of the political divide were fearful of what would happen to the country if the opposing side won. There were heightened tensions during the election in November and a lot of tension followed with the outcome not apparent as soon as it usually is.
It was a strange approach to the holiday season this year to say the least. It was entered into with a sense of fatigue that was a so much stronger than any other year I’ve lived through. The fatigue this year as we approach the end of the year is different than every other year in that we’ve got the fatigue and exhaustion of 3/4 of a year to approaching a year of pandemic. It’s been emotionally and physically exhausting. A large part of this year’s end of the year fatigue is the emotional toll that being isolated from others has brought.
I’ve always enjoyed the holiday season at the end of the year with Christmas being the pinnacle of it. This year was difficult but what pops into my head is the end of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Christmas still arrives despite disappointment and high expectations not being met. The hope and promise that Christmas brings need not be diminished.
Joy exists despite the pain. Joy arrives despite the pain. The work of Christmas will continue.
