Even though it was a mostly awful year, the Favorites of 2020 certainly shone bright in my world. When you consider I started last year in bed, recovering from surgery, and then segued right into a global pandemic, those bright spots mean so much more.
#6: Physical Therapy
Ok, so no one really LOVES physical therapy, but for me, it was the start of getting healthy and strong again. I’m so grateful to the dedicated and caring PTs who got me back on my feet, literally, and helped me return to the sport and community I love.
#5: House Renovations
We have lived in our house for 13 years, and have really done nothing by way of improvement. Yes, we’ve painted, and I’ve moved things around, but it’s been awhile for any real change. Before 2020, we opted to spend the time and money on travel, but being stuck in the house with little travel in sight made us realize that we needed to spruce things up. New paint, new office, new family room, and lots of new touches have made our home much more comfortable and appealing.
#4: Secluded Getaways
Usually, we spend our vacations with lots of things to do and always on the go. In 2020, we learned a new way: choosing remote and secluded places for our R&R. One of my favorites of 2020 was just chilling on the deck of a cabin, with a cup of coffee or glass of wine, staring at the view and being at peace with the world.
#3: LUNA!
Puppies, am I right? Mr PugRunner was SO opposed to getting a puppy. He keeps saying terrible things like “We don’t need anymore pets.” But I pushed and prodded, and hinted, and maybe begged, and so sweet Luna became one of the favorites of 2020. She is an absolute menace, and loves her mama with all her heart, but she brings so much joy and light to our days. I can’t imagine our home without her.
#2: This Guy:
Can we please give it up for A? This kid has really been one of my favorites in 2020, for so many reasons. His year started with his mom laid up and completely unavailable in so many ways. From there, school shut down, and he had to switch to distance learning for the end of his 6th grade year and enter virtual school for his 7th. But you know what? He has ROCKED it. In 2020, he
- earned Honor Roll for all the school he had to complete
- was awarded his Black Belt in karate
- ranked up to 1st Class in Scouts and served his Patrol as both an Assistant and Senior Patrol Leader
- started a fairly successful little business making mask lanyards to earn money
- began petsitting for friends
- proved himself in the kitchen as quite a budding chef
Seriously. For all the awfulness, he has truly come into his own and I couldn’t be more proud.
#1: And This Guy:
We have our ups and downs, but Mr PugRunner is truly the MVP of 2020. He started the year handling pretty much everything (school, extracurriculars, and a recovering wife), as well as running his business and dealing with all that comes with it. I know it wasn’t at all fun for him, although I’m not a terrible patient, but I am so grateful that he was there and willing to throw himself into keeping our home running.
I am linking up with Kookyrunner and Zenaida this Tuesday for Tuesday Topics!
What are your favorites from 2020?
So nice to read about your 6 highlights of 2020, Jenn!
I am totally with you on the secluded getaways. It’s so nice to get away from the maddening crowd and to chill on a deck somewhere after a long hike. It’s the best!
Yes. It’s not my way (I’m very into go-go-go and seeing all the things and doing all the activities), but I’ve learned to take a step back. It’s not a bad thing at all.
I love this! I am glad we are looking at positive things instead of just focusing on the negatives. I am so happy that your son is doing well in school. I know it is tough.
I know others have more negatives than me, so I don’t always like to say “be positive! be positive” because it can be so hard. But I’m grateful for these things, big and small. <3
Wow. Such great things in your life.
It’s so important to focus on the positive.
Running and hiking definitely kept a spring in my step.
I love hiking. We have a solo hike on Thursday and it will be different, but still fun.
My favourite of your favourites has to be Little Man! Wow, what a trooper. I always say kids are so resilient and A proved that, achieving so much in a year where so many others gave up. Well done to him, what an awesome boy.
He has really thrived in so many ways. I don’t want to pretend that he hasn’t struggled, because he has, but through those struggles, he has found success and purpose and positives. I am so proud. <3
One of the things I do when I travel is buy a mug. Not just any old mug, either, I have criteria (wrote about it on the blog once but I won’t bore you with it).
Anyway, we stayed at a really lovely cabin when we went to TN many years ago — I’d drink my tea on the porch in that mug & gaze out on the incredible scenery. I still use that mug & it brings back those memories!
3 cheers for A & Mr. Pugrunner!
I NEVER wanted a puppy. Too much work. Then we ended with 2 puppies in the space of 1 year! Long story. Even though Bandit doesn’t really care much about other dogs, I think he might benefit from the company. 1 dog is really so much easier!
I love that you have mug criteria <3 And the memories your TN mug brings you.
Puppies are hard. No doubt about it. But it's the kind of hard I love, honestly. Some people are baby people, but I am a puppy person. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Maybe this little nugget is about 18 months...
I’m a big fan of #1 and #2 as well 🙂
And Luna? Don’t forget my girl!
LUNA!!!! Definitely a highlight.
And really, I’m so impressed with the resilience of kids in these crazy times.
Luna is so awesome.
Kids are resilient. It’s been hard time for them, but all we can do is keep trying.
Hands down, 2020 was tough and ugly and stressful and sad. But it also was a year that had many bright spots as well 😉 I believe that what we focus on is what we’ll seek (and ultimately become), and also what we’ll portray to the world. That’s why I choose to acknowledge the bad, but keep my focus on the good stuff. It’s just plain healthier 😉 Thanks for an uplifting post!
I tend to agree, but sometimes the bad is just too much.And it’s so ok to be sad and angry and scared, and I never want to take away from that either.
You and I do seem to have very similar outlooks on focusing on the good.
Such a wonderful list Jenn! Always important to look for the bright spots and that was never more true than during this past year!