Who could have predicted this year? Nowhere in my imagination could I have dreamed up this crazy year.

For some people it’s been one of the worst years of their lives. For me, personally, while there have been struggles for certain, it’s not nearly as bad as when two hurricanes struck out coastline back to back in 2005.

Still, I have been impacted. I have had to be very careful about trying to see friends and family. In fact, for several months I only spoke to them on the phone. I love our family parties and because of COVID, they’ve all been cancelled this year.

The election and politics in general have made everyone’s life a little less pleasant for certain.

While I hope for a better year in 2021, it seems like the beginning of the year will hold much of the same concerns we have encountered since last February.

At least the constant harangue of angry political ads will finally be over. That’s one bright spot in the end of the year. I realize the results of this election are not to everyone’s liking, and I respect that.

What I hope for is a dramatic slow down of this awful virus, and that the new vaccines are highly effective. I hope that more people are helped through their sickness with new medicines which will alleviate some of the symptoms.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Valentina Boonstra