I enjoy making Christmas ornaments to represent the years of my life. This year, I bought a Grinch ornament as a symbol of the last five years.
We had a pandemic to start this five year period and ended it with the longest shutdown in US history. In my personal life, I commuted to and from work carrying a letter stating that I was an essential worker. I was never stopped. But, I sometimes imagined what it would be like to be stopped. I watched church services from home instead of going to church.
The second year (2021) started with the January 6th riot. I watched it on television just like many other Americans. My friend and I got Covid 19 in January. On November 21st, the Waukesha Christmas parade tragedy happened. I suspect that I will never know why I decided to stay home that day. I never skip the Christmas parade.
In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine and my employer closed our factory. While they gave me a generous severance package, it was still hard to be unemployed. Yet, I quickly found a new job.
In 2023, my cat died.
In 2024, my apartment had cockroaches. I moved to a new apartment in February of 2025.
When I reviewed my blog to create this list, I was surprised by how much has happened in the past five years.I am proud that I survived all of this. I am also thankful for all of my family, friends and church for helping me through it all.
I don’t want to list them because I know that I will miss someone.
I’m sorry your last five years didn’t have very many happy events, Tracy. Many of the events that distressed you were shared by so many others but I know when bad things happen to a person, they often feel very alone and don’t think of the struggles of others.
But here you are, a survivor and actually in a better place than you were five years ago. And you’ve grown as a person, sharing with the community and doing your best. Thank you for hanging in there and not giving up. Try to find more joy every day. I do. Even in small, quiet things; like beautiful views of a snowscape today.
Thanks. You are in my mental list