When the clock struck midnight and calendar pages flipped to 2021, I recall thinking everything was going to go back to the way it was before COVID-19.
Boy, was I wrong.
This year was basically like the movie Groundhog Day, except with more protests and hostility.
Now, as we move into 2022, I know many of us are extremely hopeful that this is the year we all thought last year was going to be. And while we may never go back to "normal," — think blowing out birthday candles, shaking hands or working exclusively from the office — we are in control of what our new normal could be.
I think we should revive that "we're all in this together" mentality that brought about clanging pots and pans at shift changes and remember that, yeah, we all are suffering through this pandemic as one.
We all want to get back to regular programming, so to speak.
I want to plan a wedding where all my guests can attend, dance and have a great time.
I want to travel Europe without the looming threat of overseas isolation.
I want to get back into the mosh pit with friends and burn off some steam.
But I know that if we stay diligent and continue to take care of each other physically, and more importantly, mentally, then maybe 2022 will be that year for us. Or at least bring us one step closer to that new reality.
So whatever your New Year's resolution may be, I hope you include good health practices to better protect you, your family and your community to help see us through.
