What 2020 meant to me...

2021-01-05T19:14:00.005-08:00

Just like that, it’s #2021!

#2020 felt like the longest and shortest year of my life. It brought many challenges, but it also brought us time to be introspective and appreciate who and what matters most...

It opened our eyes, it redefined our “comforts”, tested our limits, reset our priorities, it enhanced our focus- and need for mindfulness, and gratitude.

It reunited us with our #quaranteams, and ourselves. At times it was lonely, at times it was unique and cherished family time. Sometimes a rollercoaster of emotion, it divided us, and united us in unconventional times.

I found this 2020 Zoom Bingo and was amused and surprised that I almost completed a Full Card. As I reflected over each square, I thought about the challenges and joys of the last year. I thought I would share my experience of what 2020 and each of the silly boxes meant to me.

The first easy to check bingo box was Zoom Happy Hours- Unified Communication certainly won the day. #Technology brought us all together, no matter where we lived near or far, or social distanced we were around the world 🌎 whether WebEx, Teams, Zooms, Google, 8x8, Star2Star or GoToMeeting I was celebrating virtually via magicians, happy hours, webinars, conferences, wine tastings, comedians, game nights and holiday get-togethers and virtual celebrations.

Evidently I missed the memo on a Tye Dye Sweat Shirt ... but Florida weather is no place for winter attire, so I will gladly give that one up for Salt Life, Sunshine and Palm Trees.

Next was joining in Car Parades. We joined several, but we had to get creative when our baby girls Brooklyn and Cali turned 6 and 5 years old. We hosted two pretty fun local neighborhood car parades, complete with masks hand sanitizer and a golf cart. We also, collected videos from friends and family around the world- Africa, Australia, Europe, Canada, North and South America to celebrate with us. The videos will be a cherished keepsake for years to come.

This was Brooklyn's 6th Frozen Themed Birthday Parade on April 1 and Video

This was Cali's 5th Candy Land Themed Birthday Parade on December 29 and Video

We all became elaborate bakers, hey- they don't call it Covid 19 for anything. It was like the Freshmen 15+ for many of us as we were #safeathome. With no gyms, we became creative as a family as how to stay active- taking long walks on the beach, biking miles as a family, and running hundreds of miles!

Jay Biked 71 hours (50 miles every Sunday) the equivalent of biking from Florida to Canada, and continues on his journey, we shall see how far he can get.

I ran the longest I have ever with a half marathon, and then decided to run 100 miles straight. A huge victory as I used to joke I would only run if something was chasing me.

The girls had many fun memories biking around the lake looking for Alligators, Cheetahs and Giraffes. We never saw any of the above, but our search continues.

One of our greatest joys is year round visits to the beach, the peaceful sound of the waves, the feel of the cool sand beneath our feet, the beauty of the sunsets, the sand angels and castles, sea shell cultivating and cherished memories we make in our own little world.

Some months were much busier and more challenging than others. On Friday, March 14, 2020 Jay and I attended Brooklyn's first field trip of Kindergarten (ever) as proud chaperones - the Friday before the world "stopped" as it became known. That Monday, all of the children were sent home from school for remote learning... indefinitely. At that time, none of us knew for how long, or if they would return. In addition to my day job as full time VP of Global Channel and Digital Strategy at the JS Group , I was promoted to Remote Learning Home School Teacher of Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Music, Art, Gym, Glorified Lunch Lady, and Evening Chef, Maid and tried my best to maintain balance, health, safety and struggled to find "me" time. It was a LOT, and at times, even with a great husband by my side... it was overwhelming- for all of us- but we all just kept swimming...and somehow we met our goals. As I am high risk due to my heart surgery two years ago- we are still home schooling, luckily my mom drove down to help us which has been a relief and a blessing.

Our Home Classroom:

Lala (my mom) and her prize students

All remote parents can relate...

As an extrovert who was always busy and traveling -professionally or personally, once homeschooling was done I began to have more time on my hands - especially late at night.... To check off several more bingo boxes, I did a lot of reading, watched a lot of Live Stream Concerts and Plays (Disney Sing Alongs, Hamilton).

Not only did I binge watch Tiger King (along with many other series including Cobra Kai, Queens Gambit, The Crown, Lucifer, Evil, Virgin River, countless Disney Movies and even some oldies but goodies like Who's the Boss!) but I also discovered the mystical lure of Tik Tok and had a ton of fun and laughs learning dances, making videos, and getting lost in some aimless entertainment down a TikTok rabbit whole. Here's my personal fav channeling my inner Joe Exotic, regardless of politics, we all agree Carole Baskin was to blame :).

We are pretty restrictive of our bubble due to the high risk, but it has brought our family EVEN closer than ever before. It is really nice having "daddy" home every night for dinner (since he usually travels so much for work), playing with chalk, hop scotch, and dollies, the girls have become incredibly close and the best of friends. Being raised as an only child, I am so fortunate they have each other. We occasionally have had some masked social distanced visits to see our very best friends and it is now so special and treasured. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder, and we will treasure these friendships - together or apart - forever and always.

Unfortunately we did not get to go on Summer Vacation, nor did we get to go on our EPIC Trip to Antarctica (our 7th and final continent) we were so excited to visit. In fact, I just read recently that 35 people sadly caught Covid in Antarctica- meaning it has officially traveled to all 7 continents, before we did :(. We all anxiously await the vaccination, and pray for those who we lost and a safe recovery for those who are inflicted.

One of the things that brought Jay and I together was our love of travel- we have been to 85 countries (50 as a family) and really do miss our love of travel. One of the things I created because if this was.a travel blog called Travel Through Our Eyes sharing our pictures and stories of our adventures around the world.

Also heartbreaking, we regrettably had to miss my best friend of 20 years wedding in California and Hawaii. After rescheduling three times, they finally eloped. While I cannot believe I was not able to be there on her most special day (nothing but this could have stopped me) I am so thrilled she was able to begin their life together- and we look forward to celebrating together safely when all is said and done.

We did approximately 10,652 Home Renovation Projects big and small - from organizing spice racks and shoe closets to completely painting and redecorating rooms including the girls play room, all our hard woods, getting turf in the back yard, a pool heater, gardening, our home offices and of course making our home as beautiful, and comfy cozy as it could be since we would be spending A LOT of time there.

I grew up in a four bedroom apartment in NYC, we did not have a pool let alone a yard, (just a fire escape and some stray cats ...my mom was never pleased that all our cans of tuna disappeared), I am very happy to have a beautiful house which has truly become our home sweet home during the #pandemic. Luckily my husband convinced me to get a home with a pool in Florida- what was I thinking? Growing up in the icy white tundras of Canada and NY, we feel very fortunate to have a tropical oasis for our Quarantine lock down HQ. #Blessed

Introverts like Jay shined in comfort, extroverts like myself learned to be introspective, and comfortable at home. The children overcame adversity of not being able to play with their friends, and we all gained inner strength. We learned to truly help others, and to depended on our family, our loved ones, ourselves, and the kindness of strangers, and hope for a brighter tomorrow.

On New Years Eve, we celebrated with the family "champagne toasts" and put them to sleep- then Jay and I snuck out and took the motorcycle from Boynton Beach, FL to Miami, Florida. I watched in silence of the rushing wind the fireworks as we drove down the highway for an hour... all of these thoughts, reflections, and memories swirled in my head, speeding in the darkness under a 1,000 stars being lit up with occasional bursts of colors. The highs, the lows, and the gratitude I have for health, and fears and sadness for those we lost, the blessing of being with those I love, and thankfulness a job that affords me the opportunity to work from home (even if sometimes chaotic), and the gratitude for all of the essential workers who selflessly work for all of us. At midnight, we pulled over and kissed on the highway overlooking the beautiful skyline. This was the ending of an incredibly challenging year and the start to new beginnings, there is no one I would rather enter a new year with then my very best friend, my husband, travel partner, "baby daddy", soulmate, and Quarnteam.

I have so much gratitude to be mommy to these amazing little girls, who astonish me with their kindness, love and thoughtfulness beyond their years. At Thanksgiving they wanted to find hungry people to share our leftover meal with, and while walking at Christmas, they asked me if they could buy a house for sale. When I asked why, they said- they wanted to insure everyone had a home and knew they were loved. They are beautiful inside and out, but their hearts are the most beautiful thing- and I am so grateful for all of the time we have been blessed to spend together. Jay typically travels 100+ days a year, we both have historically worked long hours, the girls would sometimes be last getting picked up from school... but this year we have been home 24/7 as a family. In ordinary days, this would have never happened, and now I never want it to end. I know we will go back to reality soon enough after vaccines... rushing like we used to, to dance school, sports, birthday parties and events... but maybe we will slow down a bit, and enjoy more, and I will always cherish the moments we spent together with my very best friends in the whole wide world.

In the year 2020 we grieved together, and celebrated "together". Masks 😷 became fashionable (yes we have SEVERAL), toilet paper 🧻 became popular, we perfected the home haircuts (their might have been one incident- sorry Jay ;)), houses 🏡 became homes, intimate marriages, unique birthday 🥳 parades, virtual celebrations 🎊, babies were born, & the world 🌍 kept spinning in a remarkable way.

Whatever the New Year brings, we have found strength in family, and from our family to yours, Jay McBain I wish you every happiness in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣1️⃣!

Penny for my thoughts...

What 2020 meant to me...