A New Year with reflections of the past

I think we are all glad to see the backside of 2020 and now that we are in 2021, there's a sense of new opportunities. But with most of us now stuck in a lockdown or curfew and the pandemic still continuing, so far it doesn't seem to be much different. More like a different date, same shit. But as we start 2021, I'm taking some time to review the past year before getting stuck into this New Year. I'm certainly committed to changing my mindset so that I don't feel stuck in an awful 2020 groundhog year.

I never thought I would be more relieved and lucky to make it to a New Year. So if you are reading this, I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge you made it too and to take a moment to think of those who we may of lost in the past year who are no longer with us.

I know I wont forget my Dad and I'm now more at peace about him passing from Covid-19 nearly 9 months ago. But I'm still experience sadness and grief during the most surprising times. I was recently watching Netflix's The Midnight Sky staring and directed by George Clooney, with Felicity Jones and David Oyelowo. Without spoiling the plot, I found myself sobbing over Clooney's character who is a scientist with an estrange daughter. It made me think of my Dad, who was always willing to do anything for us to have a better and easier life. The little gestures and tasks he would do, like pick me up from our local train station. Even teach me to drive on and off over the past 15 years. I had resisted so much. But I finally passed my driving test in January 2020 first time. My Dad was so happy and I was just relieved. That was simplest the best moment of 2020. I remember saying to Mum a day afterwards that I would miss my driving lessons with Dad; him shouting at my silly mistakes or even just correcting the steering wheel. But now I find that he's still with me when I occasionally drive.

Today is epiphany and it symbolises the baptism of Jesus Christ. As a baptism is a purifying or initiating experience, I feel that I have initiated a new experience starting 2021 with focusing on cooking and valuing food in a way that brings people together. I look back at 2020 not just as a bad and difficult year, but a life altering chapter of my life. I've come to accept that the normal I once new will not be the same again. For 2021 what lies ahead is not yet foreseeable. However this year I'm committed to getting things done and growing my food blog further. I will also want to continue and make a difference to more people globally. So here's to a new chapter. Welcome to 2021. Wishing you all a remarkable year.