Twenty in 2020 Gratitude List

I feel bad for 2021 really. So much pressure and expectation. 2020 had that kind of effect on us. It left us desperate for something more. I’ve decided, however, to look to 2021 with more than just a desperate hope. Instead, I’m choosing to look to 2021 with joyful expectation and in order to do that I’m going to need to look back at 2020 from a different angle than the “so glad 2020 is over” viewpoint. 2021 looks more promising if I can reflect on 2020 with gratitude. In no particular order, here is my Twenty in 2020 Gratitude List.

1. Slowing down. Yes, it was often frustrating to have everything canceled and nowhere to go, but it was revolutionary! Slowing down meant time to reflect, time to take hold of peace, time to enjoy the little things.
2. Take out. The Taco Stand definitely became a favorite for our family.
3. Meeting new neighbors and making new friends. The stay at home order meant seeing more of my neighbors. Being out of my normal routine and out of my usual circle of friends meant different opportunities to say hello and meet new people.
4. Cars. This year, cars took a page from Transformers and morphed into party venues (How many drive-bys did you attend?), vacation lodging during those long road trips and restaurants when you tried to “eat out”.
5. Extended time with family. We found creative forms of entertainment and learned to appreciate each other in a greater way. I love that when my kids reflect on 2020 and missing out on school they note that at least they were able to spend more time with us. (Insert melting heart here.)
6. Netflix and Disney Plus. You can only play so many board games right?
7. God’s gift of adaptability. In March of 2020 we were all wondering how in the world we were going to get through the next two weeks. By the month of May we were standing tall, cape and hair blowing behind us with a whole new set of skills and talents to feel good about. God gifts us with the ability to adapt to life’s challenges, growing and flourishing in the process.
8. Learning and developing new skills. 2020 afforded us the opportunity to become more technologically savvy, or a more accomplished cook, or better acquainted with a hobby.
9. Nature and the outdoors. Being indoors as often as we were forced to be in 2020 has heightened my appreciation for plants, trees, animals and even insects! Just keep the bugs outside and to a distance.
10. God’s gift of creativity and innovation. I am grateful that God gifts us with the ability to think outside the box. To be creative and innovative is to be made in the image of God. I see that more now than I did before.
11. Challenges and difficulties. That one is hard to write down. I’m not fully there, but I know that in many ways the challenges of 2020 brought about growth and blessings. This year, my mom suffered through a cancer diagnosis and while I would prefer it not to have been this way, it did lead to some spiritual healing for her and eventually physical healing as well.
12. Technology. While I didn’t enjoy zoom fatigue, I am grateful that technology afforded us the opportunity to stay connected through a pandemic.
13. Free Time. From now on I am going to declare a stay at home order periodically throughout the year. Sometimes you need to have nowhere to go and nothing to do.
14. Central AC/Heat. No explanation required.
15. Toilet paper. Also no explanation required.
16. Hand sanitizer. Do you realize how amazing it is that we have something that kills bacteria and viruses in a little bottle hanging from our purse?
17. Home cooked meals and desserts. To be fair, I did enjoy cooking new meals and baking with my girls.
18. Living in the U.S. I know that seems strange to say about 2020, but perspective is key.
19. Hope. Hope keeps us moving forward. Hope grants us the freedom to laugh.
20. Prayer. Prayer gifted me hope. Prayer guided me to perspective. Prayer delivered peace.