Goodbye 2020 - Ready To Ride Calmer Tides in 2021!

Today, while I think back on 2020, I can't help but have a heavy heart. I have to frequently remind myself, that I am still here..... and only inconvenienced, not devastated, destroyed or gone from this planet as so many other are.

I was excited for 2020 with the thought of travelling during an early retirement opportunity - then suddenly a global pandemic, mass deaths, social injustice, blatant racisms, climate crisis, wildfires, my own fire loss and a THOROUGHLY divided nation....  So many challenges brought to light in 2020. Some for the necessary good, as we can now work to repair, and others not so much.

Yet, we need to look past this dark cloud and find light!! Find new meaning, new hope and purpose.... and NO, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but it is not all going away in January 2021.  We still have a long haul!  So buckle yourself tight, hang on for the ride and hope for calmer tides! 

For now, just pause and reflect on what you do have and what you can be hopeful for.... cling ever-so tightly to that!  I thought hard....and it didn't take long for me to realize how lucky I am:

• I am thankful for the time away from a job to be with my family, and be outdoors in nature more!
• I am thankful for reuniting with my husband after almost 10-years!
• I am thankful for the local travel I did get to complete!
• I am thankful for finding purpose, with like minded individuals, as an Ambassador with Inland Ocean Coalition! 
• I am hopeful to start a new chapter of the Inland Ocean Coalition here in Washington!
• I am thankful for my SCUBA diving community, and the friendships developed over the years!
• I am thankful my mom jumped in to help my aunt fight strong!
• Thankful to my sister and brother-in-law for the shelter and storage!
• I am hopeful to eventually close on a RE deal and have a new home in Hoodsport!
• I am hopeful to return to work in 2021!
• I am thankful to all my BFFs for staying in touch during a rough time!
• I can even be a little thankful for the fire that destroyed all my belongings... because.............. um....................... it made it easier to move!?! (Ah yah, I might be stretching that one a bit!) It did however forced me to work with Lee through a devastating event and realize we'd both changed for the better!
• I'm hopeful to figure out all this travel credit and rebooking with Expedia.....within less than 50 calls and 2-hour hold times (okay, that is pure smart-ass)!
• I'm thankful I still have my sassy sense of humor!

To a new dawn, a new day, a new year!
Let's make each day our best effort on Earth and may we ride calmer tides in 2021!
Cheers!!