With the promise of a new year just around the corner, many people around the world are holding onto the hope of a brighter tomorrow. While 2020 may have been one of the most challenging years in recent memory, we cannot overlook some of the things that may have been silver linings in an otherwise cloudy climate.
One of the positive things 2020 did was reinvigorate the love we feel for our families, our lives, and our homes. Whether it looked like juggling the demands of working from home while stepping into the role of teacher or simply embracing new levels of togetherness with those living under the same roof, this year has undoubtedly put the focus back on home life. Though more time may have been spent at home than with some of those we love, the distance and longing we have collectively felt for simple things like the warmth of a hug, the joy of a smile without a mask obstructing its shine, the laughter of those in our life, have reinforced the importance of those people we consider to be family. In years past, the holidays may have presented a type of stress caused by the regular interactions at gatherings. The questions we usually ask such as “Will Grandma pester me about when I’m having kids? or “Will my uncle argue about politics again?” may have been replaced with “When will I get to hug my Grandma again?” and “When will I get to laugh with my uncle over differences of opinion?” Instead of seeing family as a necessary obligation where formalities are sometimes feigned, 2020 has taught us to cherish each and every moment we have with those who matter.
With family in the spotlight, home has certainly been the stage. Families everywhere have spent more time at home than ever before. While stir craziness has been a concern, the majority of the time spent at home has offered a chance to make enough memories to last a lifetime. Whether those moments were just sharing a homemade sourdough bread fresh from the oven, snuggling up on the comfortable sofa and streaming every movie you could find, or working together on home renovations to upgrade your living space, memories could easily be found in the everyday, the laughter, and the quiet. In addition to serving as a hub for day to day life, home has been our fortress, our safe space, our serenity in times when those sentiments sometimes felt hard to find.
With 2021 about to begin, it’s hard to know what the future holds. It is our hope that the future is sunnier and as we are optimistic for a return to a more normal state of being, we are equally hopeful that we all keep our focus on the things that have been shown to really and truly matter. With family and home as priorities, everything else may seem a little brighter.
From our family to yours, we wish you a year full of love, health, and happy moments at home.
