Slice of Life: 21 Hopes for 21 28 of 31
12:01 a.m. January 1st, 2021.
Go ahead. Think about that time for a minute. Didn't you have a smidge of hope that 2021 was going to be better than 2020? It had to be, right?!
Let's go back to January. I know you remember it. We were coming off a holiday in which many of us weren't with our families for the first in our memories. Pressure was mounting to get kids back into the physical building of school full-time. The United States was nearing 20,000,000 cases of COVID and death numbers were beginning to show they would easily hit 400,000. There was a presidential transition to be completed. At the time, none of us were living the life to which we were accustomed.
Despite all of this, I was full of hope at 12:01 a.m. on January 1st, 2021.
It was a few days later that I heard a podcast by Gretchen Rubin, Happier, in which she and her sister reveal their 21 for 21. As I listened to their lists of all they hoped to do and learn, I smiled. At the time, I just wanted to get back to doing the things I missed so I decided to write a list of 21 Things I Can't Wait To Do.
The list isn't necessarily in order, but it is complete with 21 things I hope I'll be able to do this year. Pre-pandemic there were so many things I just took for granted. I just went about daily life without a care in the world. It has been a year since I sat IN my favorite restaurant, a year since I visited with friends, a year since I did my own grocery shopping.
Some of the items would have seemed simple over a year ago: going into to my dad's house and plopping down on his couch, heading out of state to visit my daughter's family, walking into Target, doing my own grocery shopping. Most of the items involve friends and family as I miss just being able to get together easily with them. Now so much has to be considered to get together.
The good news is that of my list of 21 things, I have already managed three of them. I did finally go to a restaurant with two friends the day I retired. We went at an off time and sat in a very secluded spot. Oh, to touch a menu again! Oh to chat over lunch! Delightful. I have also managed to go to a brewery as we took my dad for his birthday. Same deal. Off time. Good space. Nothing goes without thought. I have also made it to the dentist. I missed that place!
Three down. Eighteen to go.
Wish me luck!
It's March and I'm diving back into the March Slice of Life Challenge! Buckle in! This will be my 8th year joining the community (though I must confess to a two year break). Yep, some of the writing will be messy. Honestly, most of it will be messy. Thanks for stopping by. I'm excited to dive back into the madness. Thanks to Two Writing Teachers for hosting.
Aw, I would love to see your list. I also entered 2021 hopeful, but that’s because Trump was a lame duck on his way out. I think we’d be in a much different place now had he won. Soon you’ll be able to eat in restaurants regularly and shop for groceries if you want to.
ReplyDeleteI love your opening hook. You got me, the reader, to really pause and think about the very moment the year 2021 began. It hooked me. I like how you changed your list to be the things you CAN'T WAIT TO DO!! One line sticks with me: Nothing goes without thought. If anything, this pandemic is causing us to pause and think and then decide on our next step in order to stay safe. I also like how this slice showed me LOTS about you through your list - you value family and friends and gatherings. I do wish you luck as you complete the next 18 items. Thanks for sharing.
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