💫🎇2020: A year like no other🎇💫

Dec 31

2020 was a year of extraordinary changes: masks, shelter in place, global deaths, marches for racial equality and justice, wildfires, an apocalypse, a really divisive election, the first female (and minority) VP, staycations, distance learning, and a second wave. We’ve lost loved ones, businesses have been wiped out, and homes have burned to the ground. It has been exhausting. And it's been a year that forced us to grow and change.

In times like these, most people feel it is safer not to make any big decisions (such as buying a home), whilst others feel that it is exactly the time for total change or taking chances.

Some people have decided to change their lives, whilst others are clinging to the hope that things will return to the old normal.

2020 was also a year of change for me....

The year reminded me what really matter and how important relationships are – family, health and making sacrifices for the greater good of society.

After witnessing the devastating effects of homelessness and drug abuse on my block, I’ve become more empathetic towards those outside my immediate circle and I’ve learned to band together with neighbors I’ve never met before.

I’ve learned that, although I am an introvert, I desperately need to see, talk and touch other people.

So, as the year comes to a close, here are some of the moments I celebrate....

Time with my family. I have spent more time with my family than probably the previous 16 years combined.

The outpouring of love and support from friends - after the sudden loss of our Ridgeback Rescue, Zimba, we received so many flowers, cards, and even a framed etching from friends’ teenage daughter. It reminded me just how people are going out of their way to help and how much we all need each other.

I could still help people buy and sell homes - despite the pandemic, no open houses and a slew of new rules.

Teaching my 16-year old daughter to drive (a manual transmission nonetheless) - it takes courage and plenty of tears, but she'll thank me one day when she has to rent a car outside the USA.

My feelings about SF are still the same as when I moved here 20 years ago - it is a wonderful place to live, work and play.

It has been 2 weeks since the first COVID vaccine was administered in the USA.....and a week since the shortest day of the year.....a clear path towards the beginning of the end.

"No darkness lasts forever. And even there,

there are stars."

Ursula K. Le Guin