The Heroes of 2020

Hero has taken on a whole new meaning this year. Over the past 10 months, while the rest of us continue to struggle with isolation and diligence in protecting ourselves and one another from COVID-19, many among us have kept the wheels of our world turning.

We all know nurses, doctors, housekeepers, therapists and other hospital personnel have held the medical burden of COVID-19 almost singlehandedly. Dared with unprecedented and sustaining pandemic conditions, all health care workers deserve our utmost gratitude. For many loved ones unable to remain at the bedside of an acutely ill person, their utter reliance on the medical staff to pick up in love where the family reach cannot go is remarkable. As a retired nurse, I can only imagine the sacred space felt by nurses and doctors who are left to hold the hand of a dying patient. But with every loss, a wound is created for those who are charged to care for the acutely sick and dying. Almost 300,000 of our neighbors, family and friends have died from COVID - and counting. Unfortunately, our nurses and doctors have a few more miles of this pandemic left to travel. I hope they can draw strength from the rest of us who admire and appreciate them.

But then there’s the rest of the world beyond the hospital walls. Teaching our children has become terribly challenging. Who ever thought about virtual learning for kindergarteners or trying to teach AP Chemistry from afar? One month schools are open, the next month they are required to close. It has been perhaps the greatest trial for those charged with educating our children. I’m sure many teachers have had to reconfigure their whole approach to learning methods, and have spent many a night trying to rest their weary minds. We know teachers’ dedication comes from a desire to connect with and enrich the minds of their students. This year has posed incredible tests for them, their students and parents. I hope every one of them feels our gratitude.

And then there are the delivery people that continue to bring to our doorstep all that we need to flourish. This holiday season, in particular, most shopping has been done online. If I could count the number of US Postal Service, Amazon Prime, and UPS truck that pass by my house each day. Their dedication to on-time deliveries has been a logistical feat this year like no other. Millions of orders are placed each day with the expectation that the package will arrive on my doorstep in like an hour. Talk about keeping the wheels turning….

Grocery workers, drug store workers, convenience store workers and gas station attendants also have put aside their own hesitations and shown up for work each day so that our basic needs are met. There is so much thanks to give.

This holiday season is far different that any of us could have ever imagined. I sure don’t have to remind any of you the byproduct of this pandemic. The struggles each day to remain positive, aware, and diligent in protecting ourselves and one another from COVID-19 have become more difficult. Masks, hand sanitizer, and distance define a new normal. We’ve been tested in unimaginable ways. Yet, so many of our neighbors, despite their own hardships, show up for the rest of us. I hope every one of them feels our gratitude. You may not own a cape, but your bravery and commitment to all those in your community will forever mark you as our great heroes of 2020.