As we are now 18 months out, since the pandemic had been declared. I sit and think about how much has happened, and how everyone has coped in my circle. I will be glad when normalcy arrives back into our lives.

I do admit, it has been a very tough year. I was the last one left at work in 2020, and it was tough to get everyone set up and running. A big challenge for sure. Some how, every piece of technology that I had encouraged my coworkers use, and how I received such full blowback resistance to change ..suddenly this has become the only way to do business, and now over a year later, it has become the normal. 

Throughout the year, I have managed to continue to train for an 12 km swim endurance event, that has been put off for 2 years now, which is ok, for me it gives me more time to prepare for it. I wasn't ready in 2019 or 2020 ! 

I have experienced being thrown under the bus from people who I thought were friends. I think people think I am immune to getting hurt, but the truth is I suffer through this silence. 

I have suffered mentally, the loss of my best friend, it has been a lot to endure. I think about that everyday and even as I sit here and write this, I can't help but to reflect on it, that a loss is a loss,  you can't just get over.

I try to practice patience, the cocoon of calm and caring through out this whole thing. ... the pandemic has effected people in so many ways, and none of us are immune to it.  My only hope that people would have have taken the advice from our British Columbia's top Doctor,  Dr Bonnie Henry, where she reaffirms every day..  Be Calm, Be Kind and Be Safe.  

As the fall approaches quickly, I start to think about going back to school, or doing something different. For many years, end of August is like New Years for me. What can I try next.  People often joke about whether I have run out of things to do yet and the answer is NOPE ! 

I do find some comfort in art, and try to work on something whether it is embroidery or quilting everyday. I look forward to starting working on my quilting Christmas gifts very shortly !