One Year Later

It’s been one year since since normal,

One year since most people were able to go out carefree,

One year since most people had to give up some of their plans for what their lives would be.

It’s been one year since families could all gather,

One year since people could get together without fear,

One year since friends could all go and grab a beer.

It’s been one year since rapid change occurred,

One year since going out for groceries became an anxiety-filled task,

One year since many of us first donned a mask.

Where are we now, one year later?

One year later we have seen many people get sick and many people die,

One year later we have all taken a moment to sit by ourselves and have a cry.

One year later we have learned that life can be unpredictable,

One year later we have all experienced some days where we don’t feel much hope,

One year later we have have had to learn new ways to cope.

One year later we have gone through so much,

One year later we have experienced grief,

One year later we question when there will be relief.

But in one year there is so much for which we are incredibly grateful,

Grateful for our healthcare and essential workers,

Grateful for all the scientific researchers.

Grateful for our friends and family,

Grateful for our health and theirs,

Grateful for everyone who cares.

Grateful for technology to help us stay in touch with those we love,

Grateful for scientific advancements,

Grateful for the development of medical treatments.

Looking back over the past year we may feel some sadness,

But over the past year we have shown up,

We have all started to learn what we need to fill our cup.

So even on the toughest of days,

When time stands still and feels so long,

Remember that you, you are incredibly strong.