TGIF – HAPPY NEW YEAR!

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realise they were the big things.”  This Robert Brault quote is the story of our year 2020.  Our best memories prior to mid March are of being able to see our family members in person, to hug family and friends, to enjoy a meal with family and friends, to go to work, to take transit, to enjoy a live theatre performance, to get on a plane & travel, and on and on…  These were the everyday things we took for granted before we entered the unprecedented and unpredictable times of Covid 19.  Suddenly our mantra became – “Be kind, be calm and be safe” and our hero was softly spoken Dr. Bonnie Henry.  All this in a society which previously associated kindness with weakness!  

We humans showed flexibility, imagination and initiative in addition to kindness as we adapted to the new norm, replacing our fondly remembered activities with the best substitutes we could find virtually.  Result?  A greater understanding of the power of communication as we talk to family and friends much more virtually than when in person.  Yes, we did learn the hard way that these little things were indeed the big, most important things in life. 

And…we acknowledged those who live alone and the cruel toll from under funded, understaffed and poorly run care homes. These are priorities which should not return to the old norm – let’s vow to not only remember, but be activists in the interests of our seniors post pandemic. This time will be burned on the memories of those who lost family members, dying without visitors.  Our great gratitude goes to all the front line workers who not only were doctors, nurses and aids, but also were the sole comfort for these patients.What a mixture of deep experiences as we remember the old prayer in asking for “the courage to change what can be changed, the serenity to accept what cannot be changed and the wisdom to know the difference.”  We cannot change the way the wind blows, but we can adjust our sails as we enter a New Year, showing us some light at the end of the tunnel, but still requiring us to be kind, follow the rules and protect our neighbors.  

Recent conversations about how differently people were experiencing Christmas in 2020 shone a light on our previous frenetic activity as many mentioned “a lot less stress” this Christmas.  Perhaps our “rat race” will become a thing of the past as we appreciate down time!  2021 will bring its own unique challenges as this is still a war against a virus, but now we know for sure what the big things are in life, we can win by working together.  

We realtors are by nature a positive, enthusiastic bunch – but this doesn’t translate into careless.  Our Generations Real Estate Partners are still on guard, ready to safely take care of your real estate wants and needs, recognizing the good reasons for rules! We continue in that long standing tradition of trust by always keeping you covered.  Wishing you all a healthy, happy, safe New Year.

Michelle Hawthorne, Scott Johnson, Sheila Francis, Ray Harris and Shane Goutsis.