2020: The Best of Times, the Worst of Times

A couple of weeks ago, our daughter Olivia, approaching her 25th birthday in October, stated at the dinner table, “This year has been the worst year of my life.” Our son, Raymond, who will turn 23 in December, quickly agreed.

I responded rather typically with a sarcastic idea about holding a telethon for their benefit. But, that’s because I’m a smart ass.

I do get it. The novel coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic has changed so much of our world, for so many of its citizens. It does suck, and I can hardly wait for the day when we don’t have to worry about this crazy disease.

The year, 2020, has been bad. Heck, I lost my job as a result of the coronavirus, and the amount of lost wages is really beginning to add up. It’s been a lot of money.

But, 2020 has also offered up a lot of opportunities, and for that, I’m thankful.

Olivia is in her third and final year of law school at Vanderbilt University. In a normal year, she would have finished her school year early this last May, then may have stopped by her parents house for a week or so before she started her “new life” in Newport Beach – an internship this year with a firm, and a job offer for next year once she graduates. Lori and I may have seen her for a week or two. 

This year? Well, this year, we had Olivia for 5-6 weeks at the beginning of the summer, and now, again, since school started a month ago. It’s been great having her around. When I was 24 or 25, I may have visited my parents for a week the entire year. And, there weren’t a whole lot of phone calls or letters in between either, I’m ashamed to write.

Raymond graduated from Santa Clara University in June, but he moved back with us when the coronavirus swept through Santa Clara County in mid-March. Lori and I have had him in the house for six months now. Of course, if this had been a normal year, we might not have seen much of Raymond up to and even past graduation.

It’s been great having two other pairs of feet under the table at dinner time. 

Personally, while I’d rather be working, I’ve had time to invest in exercising. To date, I’ve walked or hiked over 700 miles this calendar year, and I haven’t missed a day since April 5. Without coronavirus, it would be difficult to wiggle out an hour-plus each and every day to exercise, and exercise – the walking and other work – is good for me, physically and mentally managing my disease.

I’ve also used the time to explore some creative pursuits. I’ve written four songs (and counting, I hope), started my first-ever attempt at a novel (clocking in at close to 30,000 words so far), and have even done a little painting. 

Yeah, 2020 sucks. However, at the same time, I’m reminded of what the old boxing promoter Don King used to say about his imprisonment as a young adult. He used to say, and I’m paraphrasing, “I didn’t serve time, I had time served me.” He came out of prison more educated and inspired than he went in, and he changed his life.

Now, Don King might not be the best example or role model. He did go to prison for a reason, although he was later pardoned by Ohio’s governor. But, the point remains the same. 

Times have changed, but we do still have time. It’s what we choose to do with that time that matters.

I hope you are getting through this time and have even been able to make time work for you – maybe you’ve created art, learned a new language or just binge-watched some of your newly discovered treasures on TV. Whatever, grab it and go. 

You get one shot. Take it.