It was a year to remember. We left off in December 2020 when we decided to take that month to enjoy some serious family time and not think about writing and it snowballed into the whole of 2021 and early this year. It was not an easy time and we tried to make the best of it for you two kiddos. There’s no way to get around it and as much as anyone would like to pretend it didn’t happen, it’s important to address the elephant in the room. It was the year that ripped at the seams of society.
We couldn’t have parties or gatherings at our house or anywhere else. People became skiddish and over concerned about illness and germs. Some pushed their to do list(s) without careful consideration on what the long term affects (on social, economic, or mental) would be. Some listened diligently and performed so to remain the good citizens that they are, parroting the hyperbole of those who were told to push said creed. Others listened and did what they felt best for their personal situations. Some became outcasted as their decisions for themselves were not respected or accepted by their peers, family members and even strangers. Some of those bent to peer pressure which long ago, such behaviour was frowned upon (the pressuring of peers). With pretense of genuine care for their loved ones.
Even though neither of you are on sm for yourselves just yet, I can tell you that daily floods of pics of people touting themselves at sites after getting needles tickled my “not-a-fan-of-needles bone”. It was incredible to learn how many people out there were so willing to be open about certain information and not think of it as once private. When it trickled into a medical apartheid without many realizing that was being done, it seemed to get worse. People were literally living in fear. Real fear. So afraid to be around other people including family. This agenda truly divided, created severe mental stress, fear and so many didn’t see it. Blinded by what legacy was telling them. If you listen to something long enough, even a lie, eventually it becomes truth. A dictator that tried to take over a continent said that or something to that effect.
Overall, the only person responsible for one’s health, is one’s self and no one else. Do not blame others for your decisions regarding your health or anything else, even if the outcomes are not your favour. Be honest with yourself and hold yourself responsible for your own actions, inactions and your part in any relationship but not the actions of others. Please remember to be respectful to others, even if they have no grace about them.
You know as much as I do (because you witnessed it and lived through it). Grown ups made decisions that ultimately affected you and your youth. And not just yours but every other kiddo and other grown ups. I don’t know how it is they came to their decisions but you bore witness to the outcomes. I hope our choices and considerations over the last year (made together as a family), prove to be good decisions for you both going forward.
Going forward, people are going to still cling to the fear that they’ve been living in for the last couple of years. Be respectful and as understanding as you can be. There will be significant fall out in many areas of life. It has been a mental onslaught that started far before this last couple of years. Critical thinking took a back seat over the last couple of years and fear took over. Fear shuts off logic.
Much of our country’s dynamics are changing and it doesn’t look like it used to anymore. Every right the government took, they won’t return willingly. Moral and integrity are two core values lacking with our current leaders. They’ve done a great job of telling the people one thing and completely breaking their promise in favour of their own interests. They have abused their power to incredible lengths and no one in history has complied their way out of totalitarianism. Though, many parts of the world are experiencing similar situations and perhaps may be able to return to something closer to what was normal because of their country’s policies and culture. Some countries will struggle like ours.
I hope as you’ve been learning at home, you’ve learned how history repeats itself. I know we’ve discussed many situations already from the past which many of your peers have not and may not be made aware of when they finish their secondary schooling. But it has been said, you look back to look forward. This is important. I didn’t want to write about this stuff. But after seeing what has been happening so far this year, it is important to and I hope you remember why. Remember to keep questioning and don’t settle for insults, banter and repetitive one liners. Discern between opinion and fact. Observe what is happening around you and do your best not to absorb.
Looking at all we did. We played board games, started businesses, became ever so much more grateful for what we had and have. You told me stories of things you discovered. We designed and changed L’s room. We found wonky carrots, fed squirrels that knocked on our back door. J, we fixed instrument accessories and learned things about wiring together. L, you explored courses in makeup artistry and fashion. You stretched your mind and gained some new skills. We took a lot of wacky photos with filters and laughed a lot. We baked, we explored new trails, we gardened. We drank lots of tea and snuggled plenty. You both explored new video making skills which is totally cool. The Mars landing happened and you, J, sat and watched it with me. We gardened some more and watched Princeton plenty. We took a few road trips. We helped others when we could.
We got a small sail boat and set about learning to sail. We met a few new people in the summer and made good memories on the water. We took selfies on each others devices. I still enjoy doing this. We went out and played soccer for ourselves. We enjoyed little acts of service to each other, like foot rubs, manicures and pedicures and oh so many snuggles. We had many backyard fireside nights. We went for drives, bike rides and long walks with Princeton. We made slime and bath bombs. We discovered new dishes – some not so good and some so delicious.
We purged toys and cleaned house. We put a pool in the backyard because the one we went to shut down as their business restructured due to the created circumstances. We did some more exploring and a little shopping. We went to a car show. You two played with cardboard and hot glue and flexed your graphic design skills. Your dad and I worked a lot throughout the year and whenever we could, we’d venture to some place where we were ok to visit. We even took Princeton with us on one adventure and confirmed his dislike for water. We fed chickadees and looked for moose. Canoed. Watched the trees in their splendour of colour. We visited the log museum and learned a few things. We crafted and consciously started to shift our shopping habits with the change being to shop local and support local. I dabbled in crochet to show you how, L. That was funny.
Fall came and we were able to sign you up, L for cub scouts. J, you continued with piano lessons from home. Trying to find activities was certainly tricky as we had experienced plenty of cancellations, shut downs and edicts. Swimming lessons were a fail. But both of you were happy to do things again. We put the boat on the hard and we had a great Halloween spent outside. The strawberries were still growing into November! We schooled anywhere and everywhere we could. And we had mid fall company which was so so awesome. We were sad when they left for a while but glad we created some good memories. J hired a frog to stare at me. That was funny. You both started channels and worked towards them both. I am proud of you both for being brave enough to do so and work at them.
We spent time with oodles of poodles. Talk about a wonderful afternoon! We love our friends so much. We created memories every chance we got and get still. We had a great Christmas and greeted the new year with no zest at all. But we knew, we had grown older and a little more knowledgeable. We didn’t turn away from the hard and there was a lot of it.
I know we were all spent from the bludgeoning messaging of those in power and even you two had had enough. Despite all our efforts we knew you two grew crusty with all the provisions that we had to endure. But despite it all, I am glad the two of you saw the situation and learned through it and came out still able to know it was a phase. You have gained valuable lessons through all of this that I hope will serve you both well as you grow older. Remember, you are never disempowered as long as you have choice. Even choosing to do nothing is a choice!
I am grateful that you both dealt with the situation of the last couple of years with such grace and style. I am proud of you both for how you supported each other through it all. Now, onward to new stuff. The boat is in the water again. We’ve had just a few sails in and it’s time that we really get our feet wet. We shall enjoy the adventure. Always. 😉