Dear 2021

I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to meeting you. I have great expectations for our relationship and the opportunities you will present.

You will have heard that 2020 turned out to be a disappointment and presented some tragic consequences for all of us and we are weary 2021.

There were moments of joy and celebrations of success in 2020. The pharmaceutical and science community rose above and beyond to achieve incredible vaccination results. The food and beverage industry reinvented their business model a dozen times to adapt to changing regulations. We are all wearing masks now which allows some of us to talk to ourselves while shopping without being singled out for senior’s care.

We learned that our elected officials chosen for personality and gravitas were for the most part stunned by the enormity of the challenges they faced. Some retreated and allowed policy to be formed by the unelected. Others were steadfast in their beliefs despite all evidence to the contrary. The refrain “we are all in this together” from government rang hollow and quite irritating to those of us in the private sector.

My home province, Nova Scotia was hit with a series of unbelievable tragedies in 2020 and while we might be a hardy bunch, I confess to weak knees at the news of the most recent loss of six souls who as the poem said “must down to the seas again”.

So roll on 2021! Bring us laughter and hope but don’t let us forget the lessons learned this year.

Happy New Year!