I recently allowed my mind to roam over beloved holiday traditions and memories which won’t be possible this year — unwise reflections when one is psychically fragile. Unsurprisingly, I was soon so melancholy that I had to draw back as if from a precipice over which I was tempted to hurl myself. Instead, I proposed to my obstinate mind, let’s review the silver linings elements of 2020. Was anything better this year than ever before? Yes, we had more family time than we’ve had since the children were small, and I treasured that. But the price, the price! Unemployment and utter inability to even seek work, on the part of the younger members of this household — and indeed this is true for much of their generation. The pandemic placed a huge obstacle in the path of recent graduates and young people just embarking on careers, setting them back months or years on their journey to independence. 2020 has brought many sorrows, but this toll on the young people in my own life has been keenest for me.
And yet, the other side of this very coin was a tremendous, unhoped-for blessing — the weeks we were able to enjoy together. How ironic! …that this malevolent force, so destructive in one sphere, was also the author of great joy. Perhaps this is true of many elements of our lives, but it’s rare to see it so starkly exemplified. I doubt I’ve ever ‘looked on the bright side’ in anything but sardonic irony; now I have cause to do so in earnest.
Linnetontheleaf 
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