Let’s stand on the dock and wave bye-bye to 2020 as it sinks, finally, into the sea. Here are some last words and final thoughts as we close out the dumpster fire that just ended.

“This was a year that you were actually kicked out the door at the bank UNLESS you had a mask on!”

-Linda

There were terrible losses.

“2020 was the year I lost my beloved brother…”

-Carol B.

“This was the year that I lost my dear wife of 57+ years…”

-Michael

But there was still hope and optimism, too, and opportunities for learning new ways to thrive.

“I discovered so many new trails and parks in which to exercise, commune with nature, find serenity, maintain social distance and be grateful…”

-Joe I.

…including a certain senior-centric website, for which we say thanks.

“…Thank you Senior Planet for all you did and continue to do 2 to help get us through.”

-Lucy

The most hopeful note was sounded by this reader:

“…there are things every American adult can do, in her or his own way, to build a better country. We owe it to ourselves and future generations, to try.”

-Laura L. 

To which we say, amen.

On to 2021!

Virge Randall is Senior Planet’s Managing Editor. She is also a freelance culture reporter who seeks out hidden gems and unsung (or undersung) treasures for Straus Newspapers; her blog “Don’t Get Me Started” puts a quirky new spin on Old School New York City. Send your suggestions for Open Threads to her at editor@seniorplanet.org.