Kicked to the Curb

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I suspect I’m not alone when I say that I’m ready to kick — and kick hard — 2020 to the curb.

What a year this was, resulting in grief for the many who’ve died and sorrow for all whose lives have been upended in monstrous ways, too many to count or fully comprehend. I don’t have words to express my horror about this past year: utter disbelief at the callous indifference of leaders and the amoral selfishness of fellow citizens. The layers of good manners were ripped off; we now know what we are and what we must repair, given strong, high-minded leadership and implementation of values rooted in decency and fair play promoted in society.

As awful as this past year has been, I look forward to a new year, to wipe the slate clean, to a renewal of hope, and with heart-felt gratitude for the principled acts that became the glue in the midst of chaos. Included in those righteous acts are remarkable achievements in science and medicine and the commitment and compassion demonstrated by health care workers and first responders facing daunting tasks and terrible odds at each shift. Keeping everything working smoothly relied on the dedication of purpose demonstrated by a variety of essential workers, most of whom aren’t well-compensated for their worth in our world. And touching our future as they do, teachers revamped and revised continually throughout the year, always with students’ needs the highest priority.

I admit that some fear, some trepidation, remains; my hope is tempered. Trauma wields lessons and I long for our knowledge gained, ready and prepared for the next, and continuing, challenges. Regardless, my shoulders are squared and my feet are firmly planted as the old year ends and the new one emerges.

So, good riddance to you, 2020. Take your pandemic, your sorry leadership, your self-serving ignorance–don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

You won’t be missed.

29 thoughts on “Kicked to the Curb”

  5. Well said. Some hard lessons learned this past year, in and out of our gardens. Here’s hoping we are able to find proper time to mourn our losses, even as we look to celebrate new beginnings.

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    • Mourning the losses will take time and I’m not sure we’re always very good at that. I’m really hoping for lessons learned–here’s to introspection! A good 2021 to you and yours, Deb!

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  7. Tina well said. I completely agree with your words. Here in Spain the new Government that was formed at the beginning of January 2020 with a coalition of two political parties, found itself facing the month with Covid and on March 14 we were all confined at home without going out for anything other than to buy food , medications and the doctor until mid-May. The Government has done as it could. But it has been a shame how all the political parties in Congress have behaved, all attacking the Government and all argue in the lowest way when they have to set an example for the country. For the rest, the contagions are rising again as a result of the Constitution Bridge (December 6 to 8) and I do not even want to think how the Covid infections are going to increase from January 10 as a result of the Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve dinners and Reyes. In addition, the president of our Autonomous Community, who would be the Governor of the State, is a liar and hides data on the number of infected or avoids them by not doing PCR tests to find infected. And then she says that in Madrid everything is going well. Tina forgives that she has expanded with you about politics and the Covid in Spain, but she exasperates me, and she wanted to give you my point of view from Spain. The rest is the same: health workers, non-essential workers, … have left their skin and continue to leave it now in the Second Wave of the Covid. Take good care of yourself and your husband and keep you safe, because we still have to fight against Covid in 2021, even if we have the vaccine and they are already vaccinating. Lots of love. Very affectionate greetings from Margarita.

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    • It’s a rare government that handled the pandemic in any way that was/is competent. All we can do is keep ourselves safe and appreciate those who are trying hard to keep us safe. You take care, Margarita–be safe and hang in there. All the best to you and your family for 2021!

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      • So does Tina. All the best for your whole family, your husband and for you in 2021 !! And take good care of yourself, stay at home and go out to the streets with a mask, and stay safe. Very affectionate greetings from Margarita.

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  9. The photos are beautiful with those glorious colors of a Texas sunset. I agree with all that you have written. It still boggles my mind, although it should not, how the US went from relative sanity to total insanity in a few short four years. But we have to carry on in the best way that we know how and try to keep our wits and our health. I must say that it has been a difficult year and most days I feel stressed to the max with worry. But I look forward to a new year and hopefully enough people will take the vaccine to begin making a difference.

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    • Yes, all true. I doubt we’ll ever completely recover from this mess, but maybe we’ll make some progress. It’s disheartening, but we have no choice. Breathe deeply, go outside, work for change. That’s all we can do. Wishing you a safe, healthy new year!

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  10. Your actual sunsets serve well as emblems for the sun going down on the old year. If human nature changes, it does so on an evolutionary scale that measures years by the tens of thousands, so that in anyone’s lifetime there’s essentially no change at all in human nature. We’ve seen good actions and bad actions in 2020, just as we will in 2021. Movements that claim their policies will force people’s nature to change are doomed to fail, often inflicting mass misery and death in the process, as for example Mao’s lyingly named Great Leap Forward. Call me Mr. Realist.

    In any case, it’s been a pleasure getting to share nature with you, and we all look forward to better times ahead.

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    • My front garden has a nice view of sunset and is so pretty in winter. The downside is erasing the various utility wires coursing through the trees (only in that last photo); I’m slow at that, but it’s worth the extra time with the photo.

      I think it’s wise to be realistic and to avoid pessimism. A hard, but important balance. I’m cautiously optimistic–key word: cautious. Onward to a new era, I hope and trust!

      I should add that the daily viewing of your beautiful photography lifted my spirits! Those who garden in nature, photograph in nature, or simply observe and appreciate, remain grounded (no pun intended) to beauty and hope, and that was certainly needed for this past year. So, thank you Steve!

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  12. Tina I absolutely love this….I feel exactly the same. Trying to make sure none of 2020 comes through the door with 2021, but alas that will be hard to accomplish until later this year. Wishing you so much more joy this year. We do deserve it.

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    • Thanks, Donna. I like that: making sure none of 2020 comes through the door. Yes, everyone needs more joy, hope, and sanity. Wishing a good year for all!

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  13. I’m SO with you on all that you said. Fast forward six days, and then there was today, January 6. Some fantastic news paired with such stunning lows that the mind reels. I can’t really say I’m surprised at today’s lows, as it feels as if it’s been building for quite some time, but I refuse to let it cloud my joy over the new Georgia senators. And What an amazing break! There is light coming, Tina, there is light!

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