One day, we will reflect on this challenging year with a sense of accomplishment, recognizing all that we managed to endure. We’ve missed birthdays, graduations, and weddings; we’ve faced isolation, quarantine, and learned to embrace solitude for the sake of those around us. The anxiety of potential exposure and the implications for our loved ones have weighed heavily on us. The uncertainty of what the future holds has left many feeling uneasy.
As we navigate through the present, we are heading into the holiday season, which will certainly lack some cherished traditions and require adjustments to all that 2020 has thrown our way. Many of us won’t be able to see family members or partake in the large gatherings we typically enjoy. This is our reality until we emerge from this global crisis.
Indeed, 2020 has become the “missing year.” It’s the year we skipped outdoor concerts, barbecues, and neighborhood block parties. Our children have lost out on school trips, performances, and collaborative school projects. We missed visiting Grandma on her birthday, and Halloween became just a quiet movie night in the basement.
We have lost so much this year, but it won’t last forever. For now, let’s cherish our online connections, appreciate the family time (lots and lots of family time), and hold on to the hope that one day we will reunite, bask in the sun at community events, and feast together in celebration of our survival.
Confessions of Longing
I miss the intimacy with him.
Confessional #25804403
I miss the thrill of young love.
Confessional #25804632
I miss him dearly. With our busy work schedules, we barely have time to talk. Maintaining a safe distance makes it difficult to see him, and I long for his kisses.
Confessional #25799898
Many are feeling the sting of relationships that have ended or been put on hold due to COVID-19. We crave the connections, the hand-holding, the warm embraces, and yes, even the passionate moments we once took for granted.
I feel frustrated with how my partner, Jake, sees our daughters’ online dance classes as an excuse to keep them from in-person experiences. It breaks my heart to see them upset.
Confessional #25803913
My son, Sam, didn’t mind missing summer camp or sports. He seemed okay, just waiting patiently for Halloween. But now he’s in quarantine, and it feels like everything is falling apart.
Confessional #25803521
The school closures due to rising COVID-19 cases are heartbreaking. It’s infuriating to see others disregard safety guidelines while our kids miss out on vital social interactions and quality education.
Confessional #25802716
Watching our children miss event after event is devastating, especially when other families make unsafe choices. It’s so challenging to hold our sad, crying kids while others are having extravagant birthday parties during a pandemic.
I miss my cousin from back home who I used to be close with. Our political views have driven us apart, but I don’t want to cut her out of my life entirely. I feel torn.
Confessional #25804838
I regret moving out of the US after the 2016 election. It’s been difficult starting anew in another country, facing job searches and financial struggles. I long for my old life.
Confessional #25803379
My partner, Dan, has been consumed by conspiracy theories these days, and I miss the time when he wasn’t so engrossed in online chaos.
Confessional #25800472
Beyond the pandemic, we’ve also endured the challenges of living in a politically divisive climate. We yearn for the simplicity of pre-Trump America and the lives we once knew.
I miss being able to see people’s lips when they talk.
Confessional #25804760
I miss vibrant video arcades and bustling malls.
Confessional #25804864
I miss the local library.
Confessional #25801322
We miss our previous lives, even the small pleasures like visiting the mall, the library, or simply seeing someone’s mouth while they speak.
I miss the beach and even the cold winters. I even miss the traffic and the difficult people. I just want to go back to how things were, but I feel trapped here.
Confessional #25801675
I genuinely miss socializing with other adults in person. Zoom just isn’t cutting it for me.
Confessional #25802957
I miss dining out, strolling through the park, enjoying weekend getaways in nice hotels, and experiencing public gatherings like concerts. This year has been unbearable.
Confessional #25799867
We miss each other. Even the unkind people. The simple act of being surrounded by others is something we took for granted, and we eagerly await the return of that luxury.
Working from home while helping the kids with remote learning is overwhelming. I opted to keep them home for their safety, but I’m exhausted by it all. I miss having uninterrupted thoughts.
Confessional #25801056
Jake returned to work today for the first time in eight months. I was excited for some alone time after spending every day with him, but just two hours in, I already miss him like crazy.
Confessional #25800527
We long for solitude, yet when we finally get it, we find ourselves unsure of how to spend that time, having been together for so long.
So yes, 2020 has been a tough year. It robbed us of the connections we cherished, the simple human interactions that once filled our lives with joy, like coffee dates, girls’ nights out, and trips to the library. It’s as though we’ve forgotten how to be alone while also forgetting the joy of being in a lively crowd, making it feel like we’re in a sort of limbo—a COVID purgatory—where we’re struggling just to function.
This all stems from the immense amount we’ve missed out on.
Hopefully, a new president will bring about a much-needed shift in how we handle the pandemic, giving us a real chance to overcome it. Then, perhaps we can look forward to hosting that long-awaited neighborhood block party, where our kids can finally have the bounce house and ice cream truck at their birthday celebrations.
For more insights into navigating the journey of parenthood and home insemination, check out this related post on Intracervical Insemination. Additionally, to enhance your chances of conception, visit Make A Mom. For helpful resources on pregnancy, explore WHO’s information on pregnancy.
Possible Search Queries:
- How to cope with missing events during the pandemic
- Ways to maintain relationships during COVID-19
- Strategies for remote learning while working from home
- The impact of COVID-19 on family traditions
- How to celebrate holidays safely during a pandemic
Summary:
As we navigate the complexities of life during this pandemic, many of us reflect on the connections and experiences we’ve lost. From missed gatherings and events to the longing for simple human interactions, we find ourselves in a state of yearning for the past. Despite the challenges, there’s hope for a future where we can reconnect and celebrate together again.