How 2020 Was "Perfect" To Me

As I reflect on all that has happened in 2020, I must first start with the year before and consider all of the things which took place in my personal life that put us in the place we had to be exactly and in perfect time we were supposed to be there.

In early 2019, we found out that we were going to be first time grandparents and we were so excited. But living 1500 miles away meant we would miss out on so many "firsts". Then in May of that year, our oldest daughter had a life altering event happen to her. We were not able to come to her rescue immediately and it was that moment we knew we needed to be closer to our family. So we set out on making plans to relocate and did so mostly virtually by viewing homes over Facetime calls (really we did)...how could we have known then that "virtual" would be the buzz word of the year that would follow. We made our decision and moved forward to purchase only stepping foot in the home we would buy just one day before closing...and it was perfect.

We moved into our new home just three weeks before our granddaughter was born...we experienced the first of many firsts, and we were in love. As time progressed and we moved into the later months of 2019 our oldest daughter was putting behind her the terrible experience she had endured and at the most perfect moment she was presented with an career opportunity which she could not pass up. Again it was perfect timing, for her to begin anew. And so, we assisted her in moving to a new area and to get settled in and her career continues to blossom.

As 2019 came to a close, a year which had been so good to us...we had much to look forward to and what promised to be a amazingly successful 2020 both personally and professionally. And 2020 started out just as we had planned, with professional experiences and successful business initiatives well underway.

But, then, on March 1st I stepped off an airplane for the last time in 2020. Who could have known then the carnage which we all were about to endure. The lives and livelihoods that would be destroyed. Entire industries decimated from lock downs and subsequent shelter in place orders, over and over again. Families torn apart by death and lost income and in many cases despair and hopelessness which seemingly had no end.

Soon everyone and every business was pivoting, adjusting, collaborating, cutting back or expanding based on their ability to operate as well as reallocating resources to meet demand and more importantly the needs of customers, clients and consumers. Valuable lessons were learned along the way, mistakes happened...but everyone was trying their hardest. Which reminds me of a phrase a mentor of mine early in my career used many times...that, "if it was easy anyone could do it".

Alliances were forged, obstacles were tossed aside and innovation happened overnight...it was like the perfect opportunity to think differently about relationships and how business could be done. In times of great strife people always rise above. The human ability to fight back is amazing and to have been a witness to so much good come out of such a dark period proves to me the human spirit is alive and well...we are not perfect, but we are perfect enough.

As 2021 begins, and I look back on the past year...it was 2019 that put me in the perfect place that I am today. I truly believe everything happens for a reason, nothing is coincidental. I must use the past year's experience to make a difference going forward for myself, my family, those around me and to have a positive impact on everyone I encounter...and that is as perfect as I can be.

Happy New Year All and Be Safe, Be Well