There is no good way to sum up 2020

It’s not a common practice for me to reflect back on a year. But this is 2020.

And yet, it’s hard for me to look back and reflect accurately. I journaled a lot… but I don’t keep my journals in any particular order and that lack of discipline cost me this year. Plus, a lot of the time I’m journaling and if I look over it I more often than not say out loud, “What was I thinking?”

I did keep a paper calendar/diary that noted some key moments and jogged my memory a bit on timeline.

But this was a year when I did check a couple of news sites about “who we lost” this year. They’re certainly not comprehensive in the way of remembering “celebrity” deaths, but again I was reminded of several who passed this year who impacted my life in some way over my lifetime. For better or worse.

The loss of Sean Connery. My goodness.

Chadwick Boseman. That one still stings because of all that was still ahead of him.

Wilford Brimley was one of my favorite character actors. His portrayal of the old manager in “The Natural” is a favorite of mine.

Sports stars that inspired me growing up: Joe Morgan, Lou Brock, Tom Seaver… and then Kobe Bryant.

The legendary coaches: John Thompson, Don Shula, and Jerry Sloan.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

John Lewis. C.T. Vivian and a name I didn’t know until I was visiting the Rosa Parks Museum and then realized the very day we visited the museum and I first read about him… he passed away that very day. His name was Robert Graetz, a white minister who intentionally moved south and pastored a black congregation in Montgomery.

So many more.

And yet… there are those who passed known only to family. Known only to a few. The New York Times has done a tribute all year to the “ordinary” people we’ve lost in the year of COVID… to COVID. For all the celebrities and legends lost… 300,000 plus lost to COVID.

Part of the remembrance this year is where I will end this post: Bill Withers singing “Lean on Me.” He is introduced by Kenny Rogers. Both passed away this year.