A look ahead and a look back
First let me wish all a very happy new year, may it be the reward for enduring 2020.
While 2020 held the same downsides for me as for most of us--there were good aspects as well. One of which, is that it afforded me the opportunity to "attend" Mass everyday since mid-March. About a month after that beginning, my wife joined me and now does so every morning as we join, via YouTube, in that celebration in my office. It had a noticeable and much valued and meaningful impact on me--and for that I am grateful.
Not being to the office since mid-March and having to endure endless Zoom sessions, I have seen growth in some of my staff beyond what they might have experienced if I had been there. I have noticed the same growth in past times of being "absent" from my staff while in Canada and Europe for extended periods---and at this point in my career, to be able to foster growth is at the forefront and gratifying. I should mention that we have continued to operate based on an "essential service" designation.
I have learned much--as an example I have learned that if I don't shave everyday it is not "seen" by my camera :pimpgrin:
I began my end of the year financial close out today and see that I enjoyed similar growth as the S&P 500---which is a welcome outcome from last March. On the other side of that coin---my cash reserves for the last half of the year "enjoyed" about the same return as Joe found in his buried coffee can :yuck:
I haven't seen our Grandchildren since Feb---other than on Zoom. "Enjoying" Christmas morning with them on Zoom just didn't have the same pizzazz as being there.:uhuh:
I miss seeing our friends and our traditional social dinning habits on one or two nights of most every weekend. We, on occasion, have select friends over for dinner here but I do miss the flare of a good restaurant. Tonight we will have one couple over for dinner--still welcome but not equal.
It just occurred to me, that there are weeks that go by that I don't wear "real" pants :omfg: I think I will "dress up" for dinner with a tie and coat---and real pants tonight! I actually have a selection of dress shirts in my office closet that I wear while on Zoom---and then put them back in the closet:rolleyes2:
I miss hugs---my wife is the only one I have hugged since March! Virtual hugs simply don't get it:wah:
....and so in 2021 I look forward to hugs---and nights out dinning with friends---and seeing our Grandchildren---and meeting their new puppy:pimpgrin:
May all our lives return to the joys we had before and make us better people for the lessons we learned and the trials we endured in 2020:hatoff:
