What a Difference a Year Makes

It seems like only yesterday that we left for our journey through Italy, and yet another year has passed. There are times that the memories seem recent, but then there are days that it seems so long ago.

I never would have imagined that we would be forced to endure so much in the year since we returned. Arriving home we were filled with such wonderful memories of driving from Austria to Sicily, the amazing family adventures we were blessed with, and spending time in so many places along the way.

Just a few short months after our return all of our lives would be changed forever by COVID-19. Not only here, but in every country around the world. The family we spent time with in Italy would endure months of lockdown, and see many deaths in their country. Fortunately they all were spared losing any family members, and were even able to welcome a new life into their fold. Such a beautiful bright spot in such a terrible time.

By mid-March and early April our schools would close their doors and venture into remote learning. Such a foreign concept with huge learning curves in how to best address every student’s needs. Parents who still had to work were faced with the dilemma of how to ensure their children were able to learn while they were earning a living to support them.

So many parents are considered essential workers and have no choice but to venture out and risk being exposed each day. The anxiety they have to deal with between their children’s remote learning, and the possibility of bringing home the virus must be almost unbearable at times. Summer vacation gave them a slight reprieve, but children are back in school, and for many it is still a remote situation.

After months of being shut-in, other than going out for essentials, many of us felt very isolated, anxious and depressed. With the summer months came some new freedoms which helped, but we are faced with safeguarding our families each time we venture out. When too many people are careless, the infection rates rise once more. Without caution we may once again find ourselves isolated from our family and friends.

It will take everyone working together, in every country, to bring this pandemic down to a controllable situation. There will be no magic bullet to make all of it disappear, and anyone who tries to tell us otherwise is not being truthful. If we do our part, we may be fortunate enough to see some semblance of normal by the beginning of next year.

Until then, I will embrace my memories and look fondly back at the amazing adventure we were blessed with experiencing. I hope all of you have warm memories of better times to carry you through.