2020 is now hindsight. I don’t normally like to call attention to dates in my writing so the information in my posts can stand for many years. However, this past year has been so unique that it’s difficult to hide its identity. Hopefully, in a few years, masks, stay-at-home directives, and social distancing will not be commonplace. I look forward to the time when we can hug and shake hands again. Although, who to hug and when has always been an awkward decision for me. The year has taught us that there’s so much to look forward to enjoying again, but to also be thankful for what we have. 

The first step today was to recycle all the pages of my 2020 calendar and replace it with the new “word of the day” version. 2021 starts with the familiar definition of “divulge,” so not a particularly challenging beginning to the year. It’s football this afternoon and dinner with the family tonight. This morning’s run was dark and misty, a typical Portland winter greeting to the day. Rain is in the forecast for the next ten days, but so is Florida just 15 days away. It will be the end of a stay-at-home streak extending back four months. Other than dog walking, picking up carry-out, and running, the only outside activities have been a day of whale watching, doctor appointments, an afternoon of grape crushing, two sit-down lunches with friends, and a couple of ventures across town to see my wife’s daughter/husband. In that time, construction started on our new home, the Dodgers won the World Series, Dustin Johnson easily won the delayed Masters, Joe Biden was elected President, and IU football earned an Outback Bowl bid. 

Now is the time to look ahead. What will 2021 bring in the way of fortune and challenges? When will we finally get to move out of this cramped apartment and make our way to the new Florida home? It could very well be one of the most exciting chapters in our lives, once we finally get through all the moving hassles. Will international travel become a reality again? Travel may become less of a retirement priority with our resort lifestyle and a pool in the backyard. How will life change with three grandkids nearby? 2021 is all about foresight rather than hindsight.