Letter from Jason – January 2021

Dear Honey Run Friends,

I am tired of hearing how thankful everyone is that 2020 is over. Yes, 2020 brought us unthinkable challenges and has caused more death and illness to rage in our common era due to COVID-19, but it also brought many good things. It allowed many of us to slow down and spend some much-needed time with family. It allowed us to reach out and connect with friends and family we have not been in regular contact with before the pandemic. It has raised my appreciation for social gatherings. I never realized how much I enjoy dining in a full restaurant or going to a backyard barbecue. There is no doubt that the world has had to adjust this past year, and it certainly has disrupted our plans and expectations for the year. Is that such a bad thing? Were we living the best life we could live? Are we now?

Regardless of the challenges, this is the life we have been given and our time on earth is limited. So rather than being disappointed in all I think I missed out on or did not do in 2020, I am choosing to see the year for the things I did get to experience. I have never stayed in my house for 2 weeks straight without going anywhere. Check, completed in 2020. I have never wondered where my next roll of toilet paper would come from or contemplated finding an alternative source for this activity. Check, completed in 2020. I have never eaten so many meals prepared at home versus going out. Check, completed in 2020. I have never chatted with so many friends all around the world and engaged in meaningful relationships (usually because I was so busy and did not find the time). Check, completed in 2020. I have never worn a mask covering my face into the bank. Check, completed in 2020. I have never flown on a commercial jet and had so few people on the plane that I thought I was flying private. Check, completed in 2020. I have never taken my temperature every single day for almost an entire year. Check, completed this in 2020.

While this list is a bit of a joke there is truth behind it as well. I have seen things this year I never expected to see in my life. Some good, some bad, some make no difference, but the past year was a year of my life. So, I choose to be thankful that I did not suffer any serious or lasting effects from the pandemic to my health, I am grateful that our business was able to withstand the trials of the year and survive, and I am thankful my friends and family have been safe. I do recognize and I cannot imagine those who lost loved ones this year. I have heard the horror stories of being in the hospital and not having any family contact. I cannot imagine the loneliness felt by so many going through some of the hardest days of their lives. For those of us who survive this pandemic, it will be our responsibility to tell the story of this time in history. What will we share? Was it a hopeless and fearful time? Was it a challenge and did it test our mental health? Or, while it was filled with illness and sadness, did we learn more about who we are as people, and did it help us to grow and appreciate the freedoms we have all other times? Were we reminded that this life is fragile and not guaranteed? Were we reminded to savor every moment in life for tomorrow is promised to no one?

2021 is a new beginning. Will it be more of 2020 or will this pandemic be behind us? Time will tell. What I can tell you is that I am approaching this new year with optimism as I did all of 2020. I’m looking for the good each day has to offer and savoring my experiences of life. There will always be troubles and challenges, and there will always be joy and peace. I choose to focus on the joy and peace as I combat the challenges.

Happy New Year!

Your optimistic Innkeeper,

Jason