A Letter to 2020

Dear 2020,

You were by far the most eventful and crazy year that I have ever experienced. Although I am only eighteen, my parents would say the same thing. You brought some good, a LOT of bad, and many lessons that I will keep with me as I grow through life. 

January and February were good to me. I was in the middle of my third high school gymnastics season, I was starting to prepare for the SATs, everything was good. But, not everything was good for everyone else. The Australian Wildfires were happening during these months, NBA legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter tragically passed, and the United States’ political climate was not doing its best. We all thought, could this year already get any worse? Despite having only two months to its name?

And then, March came along. You know the saying “March comes in like a lion, and out like a lamb?” Well, it really stuck to its meaning. March came in and everything took a turn for the worse. Two weeks off of school turned into three months, seeing friends and family turned into FaceTime and Zoom calls. All events turned out to be canceled or postponed. 

As lockdown continued through May and the beginning of June, small businesses were forced to close, masks and social distancing became the new norm, and life transitioned to a whole different world. Racial injustice was present with names such as George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and so many more echoing through the streets of the nation.

The summer of 2020 looked a whole lot different than in years past. Tourism was at an all-time low, gatherings were limited, and seeing loved ones was difficult. As we transitioned to the fall, schools started to open back up–which was a step in the right direction! Although it wasn’t the same as the years past, as a student, I can attest to the fact that we were all happy to be back. 

I am not going to sugarcoat the impact that 2020 has left on all of us. It was a hard year, for so many different reasons. But, this year also taught everyone to appreciate the things that we have and to not take anything for granted. 2020, you have brought us knowledge and wisdom that I believe we will all keep with us as we move into 2021 and beyond. You have taught us about the power of compromise and doing what we need to do to keep our loved ones safe and healthy. 

And above all, you have taught us more about respect and decency. I never thought I would be saying this, but thank you 2020 for your meaningful lessons. I look forward to a year of redemption in 2021. 

Sincerely, 

Allison Seidel