Father Time and Baby New Year have long represented this season of reflecting on the year past and looking forward with hope at what the next year might bring. (public domain image of Father Time and Baby New Year from Frolic & Fun, 1897)

I recently saw my friend Dave in the Stop 'n Shop parking lot a few weeks ago. It was the first time I saw him in 2020. I couldn’t shake his hand or give him a hug so we caught up while keeping our distance—something we have become accustomed to this year.

Dave told me that his father passed away due to Covid. Hearing this news made me sad because I remember meeting his father a few years back when we ran into each other at a local restaurant. I recalled how happy they were spending time together.

Dave’s loss is no different than what many of us have experienced this year. Too many of us have lost family and friends as a result of Covid, making this a difficult time of year as we celebrate the holidays without them. Additionally, we are strongly encouraged to celebrate in person only with members of our own household in order to minimize contagion from Covid. While the holidays are usually an uplifting time, we find ourselves seeing the holidays from a different perspective.

Mother Jones, a passionate advocate for workers, said, “We must pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living.” This year, there have been far too many deaths: nearly 300,000 in the U.S. according to the CDC and 1.6 million worldwide according to the University of Oxford. This has been a lot to process, and the death toll and case count do not reflect the many other complex problems we face such as increased inequality and other social problems associated with Covid. Sadly, I lost a friend of mine earlier this year due to mental health and am convinced that if we were not in a global pandemic he would be alive today. For those who pray, please continue to pray for the dead as they’re still connected to our lives.

Among the tragedy, sadness and uncertainty we live in, it’s hard to have a positive outlook. I often tell myself and others, “I’m employed and I’m healthy.” Sometimes our basic needs have to suffice to keep us moving forward.

Reflecting on the year, I have realized there are things to be thankful for during this chaotic and scary time. I am grateful for our union. I am grateful for the other five officers and the Executive Council representatives who work incredibly hard for this union. I am grateful for Anita Greifenstein and Mary Kaffaga who have been working on campus and remotely to help keep our union running.

I am grateful for our students, many of whom missed out on enjoying important milestone moments in person like prom, senior trips, graduation and the first day of college. I am grateful for a union membership, especially counselors and ETU, that worked incredibly hard to build our enrollment in August which helped to prevent layoffs. I am grateful for faculty who came up with creative ways to engage students remotely. I am grateful to an administration that has recognized the contributions of our members both in and out of the classroom.

Sometimes tragedy teaches us more about gratitude than during “normal times.” This year has taken a toll on all of us in various ways. As we approach the holidays and the close of 2020, I hope that you, your friends and your loved ones find some peace and reflect on what makes you grateful.

Get some rest, take care of yourself and reach out to your loved ones. Try to have an enjoyable holiday season and New Year. 2021 has already shown us some promise, and let’s hope it’s a year in which we will once again be able to greet friends with a handshake or a hug—those vital connections that remind us of our common humanity.