Yes 2020 has been one of ‘those’ years hasn’t it?
Or maybe it’s not been that bad for you, it might have been a great year and you’ve blossomed.
If so, I’m happy for you.
Posts featuring 2020 and the effects of the pandemic on life
In looking back, I seem to have written a few posts about the year and its impacts, might I say I’ve been prolific?
- Just recently wrote a post for #SundayStills sharing thoughts and photos about weathering
- In July I wrote a post looking for the ‘good’ in 2020
- In August I wrote a post asking if 2020 was a food, what would be be? I’m still taking comments on that if you’d like to leave one 🙂
- In June I wrote about Planting the seed of sharing pandemic experiences
- April saw me write a post about New Motherhood Perspectives in these challenging times
- I was included in a collaboration post from Travel Tales of Life on life in Tumbarumba during COVID times
- In March I wrote about life in my cocoon and about chocolate
- And as early as February I was writing about Young Adult novels all about a virus taking over the world! That was all a bit close to the truth – talk about the truth being stranger than fiction!
Thankful
Whatever your year has been like, I’ve recently had two good (and timely) reminders to look at what I’m thankful for – again.
Terri has set today’s theme for #SundayStills as Thankful, mainly I’m guessing due to the upcoming American Thanksgiving Day celebrations on the fourth Thursday of November, 26 November 2020.
An aside: I didn’t know that in Australia, Norfolk Island celebrates Thanksgiving on the last Wednesday of November, (similar to the pre–World War II American observance on the last Thursday of the month). The holiday was brought to the island by visiting American whaling ships. The things you learn!
And Sue a good friend and blogging buddy, also wrote on her Women Living Well After 50 facebook group, asking us to think of some positives from the year.
I’m using my answer to Sue’s question as a guide here today and updating my post in July on What good things have happened in 2020.
So, I’m most thankful for the following:
1. Family
Looking back, I didn’t know how important the time I spent last December and January this year in England with my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter would be. I’m so glad I had that special time as I don’t know when I will be able to travel there again. Making time to see family members here in Australia whenever possible during the year has been a real positive too, as my mother has moved house and is now much closer, like thousands of kms closer!
2. My first grandson arrived 💖
Exciting news! Patrick was born (just as COVID hit) – and he’s a little cutie pie! It’s not been an easy road for my daughter and son-in-law but they are coping and we are a supportive family, despite not living nearby. He is growing up fast and I just wish I could see them more often. I’m thankful everyday for having him in our lives.
My granddaughter in England turned 1 and my granddaughter in Australia turned 2. At least I made it to one of the birthdays.
And big news flash there’s another grandbaby – Miss E will be a big sister in January 2021.
3. Learning new things
Learning new things, expressing my creativity with writing courses, writing competitions, stretching myself with family photo challenges as well as blogging challenges – it’s all been good for the brain and my mental health.
4. Technology
Being able to stay in touch with family and friends via Zoom and Facetime – at least I can ‘see them’ that way. We managed to chat, exercise and discuss photography challenges during the year!
5. Our Rail Trail
The opening, during COVID lockdown, of our Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail. It’s been a huge effort over many years and we couldn’t be happier with the usage so far, and that’s with borders being closed and travel restrictions due to COVID-19. It’s been fabulous for local families to get outside, be active and have fun together. Many have said their mental health has improved because they had something to do when none of is could go too far from home.
6.Living here in Tumbarumba
I think I am most thankful for living where I live, in a small rural town in Australia. We are an island and have taken a serious approach to the pandemic. We’ve had outbreaks and dissent, but in general we have managed to get on top of things and keep the number of infections and deaths down, compared to many other countries around the world. It’s so sad to hear about the continuing rise in cases and deaths elsewhere and I worry for family and friends overseas.
It’s not been easy and our international borders will remain closed for quite some time to come, but in my opinion, we are doing OK and for that I’m eternally grateful.
Our little town suffered badly with the bushfires in January and we were overseas watching it burn from afar. We were thankful for friends who managed to get some personal things from our house and put a fire break around our property (just in case). We were very happy to come home and see our house still standing but others close by weren’t that lucky.
I’d love to know what good things have happened for you in 2020?
Thanks Terri for another great prompt for #SundayStills. It would be so easy to focus on all the ‘bad’ things that have happened this year but this made me stop and think of the things I’m thankful for too.
I’m forever thankful for your ongoing support in reading, following, commenting and sharing my posts. It’s a great blogging community to be a part of and I value each and every one of you!
And there I thought turning 60 was going to be the biggest challenge for me this year – how wrong was I?
Deb x
All my Sunday Stills posts can be found here
You can also find Deb’s World in lots of other places – stay in touch by clicking any of the buttons below.
Everyone has a story to tell! Deb is a young-at-heart & active 60+ blogger/retiree, after being made redundant from her 22-year career managing education programs in a men’s correctional centre (jail). She now spends her time reading, blogging, riding her ebike and travelling. Deb was awarded a Bravery Award from the Queen when she was 17 after a tragic accident – a definite life changing moment! She is married with 3 grown-up daughters & has 4 grandchildren. She never imagined being Granny Debs would bring so much joy to her life! You can read more of Deb’s story here
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Its a great post 👍
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Thanks for your visit 🙂
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Heartwarming post! 😍🙌
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Thanks Carol! It’s better than feeling all bitter and twisted about what I couldn’t do in the year 🙂
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I think life is like body surfing….it’s always better to go WITH the wave and not fight against it! Pandemic fatigue is taking its toll though😩 I have 2 new grandchildren I haven’t seen since March 😢
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Great list! I don’t need much. I’m thankful for my family and friends.
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I agree Pete, they are the most important things these days.
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I think family would come first with most of us. Enjoyed reading this post.
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Thanks Stevie, you are so right 🙂
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😃
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It sounds like you live in a wonderful place, and have a lovely family, Deb! As for what I’m thankful for in 2020? Besides the obvious family and friends for which I am very thankful, I’m thankful that the people important in my life have been taking extreme precautions even as our federal government has done nothing to curb the spread of Covid. I am thankful for the blogging community, which has permitted me to get to know people from around the world. And, this is the year I made great inroads into getting to the bottom of my health issues.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
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Hi Michelle, I really do live in a beautiful part of the world and I’m so thankful for that. Thanks for your comment and all the best for your blogging journey. I’m pleased to hear you have made some inroads into getting to the bottom of your health issues too. All the best 🙂
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Debbie, you have been through a few life events yourself, and much to be thankful for with your wonderful family. Great you can “see” your family and that you are still making good, creative use of your time. It’s best to stay positive as this too shall pass! I’m always appreciative of your consistent sharing with Sunday Stills! Have a great week!
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Thanks for having me when I can join in Terri!
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I appreciate this post and the variety of things you found to be grateful for. Can you say more about the blogging competitions? Is that a small group thing, or something else? Living in the United States, I am always grateful for your reminders of how COVID is being handled where you live. It sounds very sacrificial but successful. If sacrificial sounds like too strong a word, it certainly is a sacrifice for you to not be able to see family members, and those beautiful babies. Unfortunately, it is easy for many people in the states, including the community where I live, for people to talk as though they are being put upon or the only ones being affected, or, because they are so tired of the whole thing, do not want to be told what they have to do. Sad. Last, forgive the disjointed thoughts, congratulations on the upcoming new grandchild! Blessings, Michele
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Hi Michele, thanks for your lovely comment. I enjoy writing these types of posts as they make me stop and think! The blogging competitions are more like blogging challenges that I join in, Sunday Stills is an example run by Terri where she offers a prompt for photos each week and others join in by sharing a photo in a post and link back to her post. I am proud of how our country has coped with Covid so far and we really have learnt a lot from watching others around the world. We are doing well with our approach. Thanks for the congrats about our next grandchild due in a few months time, always an exciting and scary time.
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Hi, Deb – You’ve hit the nail on the head with this post. If the Pandemic has taught us anything, it has taught most of us the importance of Family, Friends, Connecting, Growing and Home. I’m very grateful that we have become friends and that I have had the pleasure to get to know you more. You have much wisdom to share!
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Hi Donna, you are such a lovely friend to have. Thanks very much for all your support and positive vibes. You are right the pandemic has taught us so much! You are full of wisdom and joy!
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Thanks very much!
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Hi Debbie, What a sweet post. Family is so important and yours is expanding. It’s amazing how full our lives are and how we have adjusted to the confines of COVID 19 restrictions. Have a wonderful week – even if you don’t celebrate Thanksgiving. Where is your town? I visited a blogger friend in Toowoomba three, almost four years ago now. Loved it. Australia is an amazing place. 🙂
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Thanks Marsha for your visit and comment. We are way down south in NSW near the Victorian border. It’s a bit different to up north where Toowoomba is located and yes Australia is an amazing place!
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That’s quite a ways.
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Hi Debbie, the photos of your life in 2020 are inspiring. I am truly grateful for every aspect of my life, especially my family and close friends. I am grateful that I am learning a lot about myself this year and how to role with the punches. I am also grateful that I am learning that for everything I can not do this year, there is something I can do closer to home that is also good for the soul. 🙂
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What a lovely insight Laura, thanks for sharing your thoughts 🙂
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Hi Deb – I missed this post for some reason – and I’m glad I found it! Loved the family photos and the other lovely memories. I’ve found 2020 to be a much better year than I expected it to be with all the pandemic hoo har. We’ve been so fortunate to be spared from the virus and its impact and I’m beyond grateful for that – and soooo glad I’ve been able to see the kids and grandgirls (apart from those horrible few months where they closed the intra-state zones!) I’m hoping that people respect the borders opening and we don’t have to go back to those awful lockdown days again.
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Hi Leanne, it’s very easy to miss a post or two but I don’t mind! I’m so glad to read your thoughts and experiences. We are very lucky to be in the position we are I think.
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