I heard a cool song that I’d never heard the other day during a TV commercial. So, I got up, rewound the DVR to replay the ad, then used my Shazam cell phone app to identify the name of the song, went to Spotify, copied the URL of the song and sent it to my email for later listening and consideration on my annual “top songs of the year” list. Gratifying…
So many things going on there that even a semi-Luddite could I appreciate- rewind capability, mobile apps, easy access, email, etc. Years ago, I would have had to remember that tune and hopefully figure it’s title later. The point here is that in this nightmarish year, now’s a great time to reflect on things you’re thankful for beyond the sometimes-taken-for-granted-but-shouldn’t-be joys of life (family, health, friends, a job). Imagine what school would be like in a pandemic world without distance learning. Yeh, it’s flawed, but it’s manageable. Imagine how office work would have been handled in 2020 without those now-overdone Zoom calls.
How would we have connected with loved ones without wireless devices and virtual, visual get-togethers? Of course it’s not as good as actually being there, but it sure beats total absence. So here’s to digitalia allowing us to stay in touch and be touched when we can’t touch. No one covets COVID, but we’ve survived with the aid of tech tools as we bemoan our relative isolation, week after week.
Let’s be thankful in a viral year to live where we can comfortably spend time outdoors from November to March, while much of the nation shivers- forced to be inside… a lot. Here’s to local food merchants making the best of this pandemic with delivery, curbside service, pop-up locations, and can-do attitudes. And first responders- you rule.
Thanks for monetary help provided to people in need from family, friends, neighbors, programs, and forgiving lenders. Thanks for the creative spirit to help the downtrodden see a distant light at the end of this viral tunnel, when things will return to a new sense of normal, when the term “going viral” won’t trigger thoughts of catastrophe.
Yes, this season of giving thanks provides us with time to reflect, remember, and realize that while 2020 has been ugly in oh so many ways, if we search, there are always things we can smile about and be appreciative of.
Think about it…