2020 A reflection

 Well, the one thing I seem to be consistent with on this blog is reflecting on the year past and making plans for the year future.  I only did half of that last year and reminiscing about what a good year 2019 was, but not setting goals for 2020.  In some ways, I knew 2020 was not going to be a great year and that 2019 was such a good year that there was nowhere to go but down.  While this sounds much more negative than I normally am - it turned out it was very true.  And really way more stressful of a year than I could have predicted. 

I can see how the stress of 2020 is making us more resilient, but I can also see how tthe struggle affects people.  Whether it's my kids and the switching from in-person to online learning or my coworkers who have had to navigate working in such a different working environment.  I hope it, in the end, it brings more grit and determination to the people in my life, but 2020 is the year I've seen myself and others struggle through those times. In 2021 I hope to see the struggles decrease and everyone have time to reflect on what they have overcome.  I often found comfort this year in talking with my Oma and Opa - who also had significant health struggles and them reminding us that they live through a 4-year war - spent very little time in school, had no food or freedom, and they are the strongest people I know.   

Of course, there are many really really great things that happened in 2020, the biggest is that we added Sully to our family.  The second is that before the pandemic we went to some faraway places and after the pandemic, we did some great exploring of our own backyard.  

Before the pandemic we went to Mexico with the big family

 

Adjustments to working or doing school from home! Missing people but having other company...

July 1st was Ptagarmin Cirque - although we were not prepared for the wet and cold of the hike. 

My first visit to the Dominican Republic - where the sand was amazing and the beach didn't bother me!

Hiking in Panoraman

Pickle Jar Lakes Hike

Hiking at Big White

Ptargarmin Cirque again for my birthday!

Paddleboarding in Golden

So much yoga at home!  I did get to go back to the studio for a bit and cried with joy to be back there.  I'm sure the same will happen again when I get to go back to 2021.  Not quite the same doing yoga at home but still glad I could continue my practice.  

Working in health care this year became it's own phenomon.  So much respect for everyone who does this every day.  I continue to do it a few times a month as it is a career that I love and enjoy being reminded of the work and the benefits.  But it was scary at times to go to a place when everyone else was under strict instructions to stay home.  And to care for people when we didn't know all of the information.  

We did some great home improvement things this year as well, built a fire pit, redid the side stairs and more recently put doors on the office as we all try to live and work in the same home.  

One of the fun close to home spaces to explore was Jasper.  The pandemic was a good opportunity to see places close to home where we had never been before.  Here is the angel glacier and the Valley of the 5 lakes and Spirit Island. 

Here is our first picture of Sully.  He has been a real joy during the pandemic.  Gave us something else to focus on, keeps us active and gives the kids something to take care of. 

Many birthdays and celebrations this year - through Zoom!

Nathan finished grade 6 - and although it was a weird year to graduate the school still did a great - socially distanced celebration. 

Hiking Ribbon Creek

Paddleboarding on Lake Louise

Hiking Grassi Lakes

Luckily we still were able to go to Kelowna this summer.  While things were unsure for a while I'm still so glad we got to go and see Oma and Opa and enjoy our traditions. 

Sully's First Hike Fullerton Loop

Sully loved all the swimming this summer. 

Hiking Boom Lake. 

Hiking Elbow Lake

Going to Montreal (pre lockdown....)

A very windy Columbia Fields Glacier

Hiking and paddling around Emerald Lake and Takakkaw Falls

So as you can see 2020 ended up having lots of hiking and walking with the dog.  It was a great way to enjoy nature and destress from the constant changing of rules.  Plus you can see we had a great time discovering our own backyards.  Felt very lucky to live in such a beautiful place.

Next post will be a look at 2021 and what I'm hoping to achieve and look forward to in the next year.

Jenn