December 31, 2020
Seven thousand three hundred and four…
Hi. We did it. We’re still here. That counts for more than I used to know. According to the National Restaurant Association, over 110,000 restaurants have closed nationally since March. This is a statistic that will haunt me for the rest of my days.
But we’re here, we have survived. So let’s talk about some good things that I learned this year.
I’ve learned more about friends and strangers, people who really have your back when the going gets rough. I don’t want to mention names, because this is a public forum and people have a right to privacy, but you know who you are. People who would stop by the box fort, call Elmo or Kat just to say hi, write a card. Someone who would remind me it’s okay to not be okay. Don’t run from that feeling, it’s natural. Thanks for helping me get through this. You made friendship a growth for me this year.
Families, husbands and wives, kids and parents, grandparents. Oh my goodness grandparents. I know my mom (Nancy, hi Nancy!), loves her grandkids. She sees them all the time in a normal year. Week here and there, holidays, the usual. This year, 3 times…. all the stress and hardship that put on her I cannot fathom. And that’s true for all you grandparents out there. I feel for you, I truly do. All the moms and dads who suddenly had to teach their kids from home while trying to work from home. Teachers. Well for one, you lied to us. Often our kids are NOT a pleasure to have in class. But really, you are heroes and words cannot express how much I appreciate everything you do and have sacrificed for my kids this year.
Heroes. Front line workers. Police and fire fighters. People who choose to work and be in front of the fear, so that others can be safe. The amazing humans who work in hospitals and work in medical teams. The nurse that works with a patient who might not see tomorrow. I have a profound respect and admiration for all of you. You make the world a better place by existing.
A stranger from a far away land. We were blessed to have Amanda live with us for 7 months this year. A teenager from Denmark, far away from home, in the middle of a pandemic, and can’t leave the house. Can’t see her friends. Can’t go to school. Her resolve, maturity, kindness, humor, and poise. I learned so much from her. I’m honored to have played a small part in her life…even as she played a massive part in ours.
And People Helping People, a program to feed the hungry on Sundays started by my friend Timmy, that this year grew into something bigger. I know he is watching and is proud. We changed our program from only being available on Sundays, to any day for any reason. It’s a pandemic and people are losing their jobs. People can’t afford the basics in life. We here at the deli felt it was our responsibility to help out any way we could. To lead and be the change we want to see in our community. As Timmy would say, it was the right thing to do. This year we gave out a total of 7,304 meals including over 4,700 during the first quarantine. What we originally thought would be a self funded project turned into something unexpected. From friends and strangers, banks and businesses, locals and out of state fans, we all donated to the program and made the world a little less scary. I’ll remember the kindness of humanity, in the face of chaos and uncertainty, how we love each other. You all are people helping people. And I’m damn proud of you.
I don’t know what the future holds in 2021, but I know humanity can be better. I’ve seen it this year in the little things. A new daughter snuggled with my daughter on the couch. A text from a coach saying I’ve got your back. A stranger donating money to help another stranger eat a meal. Inspiration for what can be a better world. I love you all so hard.
Today’s lyric circles back to my first lyric of the year. It’s from a magical queen named Elsa. And while I don’t know what is out there, I’ll be ready for it. Here we go friends.
Into the unknown….