[image: space.com]
2020: Lessons Learned
At this Christmas season, it is time for us to show a little more humility, a little less arrogance, and a new respect for our capacity to live with each other. We need a new commitment filled with peace and tranquility, and with a renewed love for this planet that gives us life. We owe that much to ourselves, to those we love, and to all generations to come. We must stop pointing fingers at any nation, and start thanking Providence in whatever form the Giver of Life takes for each of us.
The year 2020 will be remembered as the year of the virus. It is a year marked by personal tragedies on a global scale. Human lives have been lost in huge numbers from a source that has not shown any favoritism to race, ethnicity, wealth, social status, age, religion, political beliefs, or ignorance. It is not a hoax. It is as real as the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the people we love. We deny it at our peril. Yet we can, and we will, defeat it.
To defeat it, the ultimate answer lies within each of us. Our common sense, our brainpower, and our logic are gifts from the universe, linked to our Source. We need to call upon them, and follow the inner voices that direct our actions. But in the words of Galileo, one of the greatest minds of all time, let us not overlook his counsel: “God gave us a brain, and he [or she] expects us to use it.” The new vaccinations are proof of our tenacity, our creativity, and our resolve—punctuated by the wonders of science. To mock any of them is insulting to all of us who have crossed the span of time and space. There is much wisdom in the caution: “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Personally, I am also thankful to our first responders—our men and women of science, the doctors and nurses, and all their care-giving support teams for their indefatigable strength, their love, and their commitment to themselves and to us. They are the angels of this universe that have risen above this pandemic. They are leading us out of this darkness. Their advice has been priceless. Their love and their commitments are undeniable.
These experts also inform us we are only near the mid point in this struggle. There are sill many tough days ahead. During the coming year we will need to pull together until the infection rates, the hospital entry rates, and the fatality rates subside. We dare not stop until all who survive this trial by fire are standing in gratitude. Only then dare we hug each other and give thanks for this gift that is life.
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For perspective, only from the United States. The current worst projection is, although daily we are losing the equivalent of 9/11, the death toll will end up to be 1/300,000th of the US population. In other countries it may be much higher, that is why it doesn't seem to register for those who wish to defy science. On the other hand, 60 million of us may get the virus before it is through running its course. That amounts to 1/5 of the population from those unvaccinated. Those hospitalized for long periods of time are more and will come home to spread the word that no one would wish to risk going on a ventilator for months in order to recover.
It is sobering what you write and what we are experiencing this past year. I see it accelerating positive trends that will lead to some of the hopes you have.
Ron
Rebecca
My prayer is for for our fellow Americans to humble down and become one with those of us who are taking this virus seriously: we need each other in order to survive.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Ed!
Mary