What I've Learned in 2020

What have I learned in 2020?

Well, if that isn't a loaded question, I don't know what is!

2020 has been an interesting, crazy, wild, lonely, sad, happy, mad, and different year.

I have literally had every single emotion at one point or another this year.

The year started like any other year does, with the hopes of a bright future ahead. Enter March. March was when we got the crazy news of COVID. Everything shut down on March 17. Schools, restaurants, shops, etc. As a teacher, I had to make a major shift in my way of teaching. I went from teaching 20 children in my classroom to preparing 20 packets every 2 weeks until May. Teaching from home and being with my boys was actually really nice. I know a lot of people didn't enjoy it or really struggled to help their children with their school work. But with me being an introverted homebody, I was loving the extra time at home.

Summer then came and although pools were closed at first we were still able to go to friends' houses that had pools and get to enjoy our summer break. In July the pools opened and we felt some kind of normalcy again.

August came quickly and we weren't quite sure what school was going to look like. We were going to start in-person learning with the option of being remote. I had 100% of my 2nd graders choose to be in-person, which was great! We were for sure we would be shut down again by Labor Day but we surprisingly surpassed that and have made it all the way to Christmas without having to go remote! The perks of working at a rural school.

The year didn't come without struggles though. This has been my hardest year in education to date. Not because of my students (they are great!). But because of the different events that have happened.

It all started in October when I got the news that a student I had 2 years ago was struck by a car that had swerved off the road. He later passed that same night that we got the news. A few days after that happened, another student from the same class had killed himself when he heard the news. I attended two children's funerals within a week of each other. I never would have thought I would have attended any of my student's funerals, let alone 2 in one week.

Between all that I found out that my dad, who has been in a nursing home since last August due to a massive stroke, had just contracted COVID. He had hardly any symptoms at first, then things took a turn for the worse. He was admitted to the hospital due to breathing complications. He then got pneumonia in one of his lungs along with sepsis.

I was able to visit my dad once while he was in the hospital during his one and a half week stay. Unfortunately, he was not able to be the different illnesses and passed away on November 6. I have felt so lost without him, yet I know he is in a much better place and no longer in pain.

Oh and through all of that news, I also found out that I am pregnant and expecting boy #3! I'm still a little in shock that I am having another boy! 2021, you are looking hopeful.

2020, you have taught me that time is short. Don't take what God has blessed you with for granted.

In 2021 I really want to focus on the good. I want to be more present, I want to have fun, I want to love God and love people.

Here's to 2021!

CHEERS!

-Mallory