For Auld Lang Syne

A winter day.
12/20/20 dwm photo

While we may not want to remember much of 2020 when we shut off the lights. the familiar words of this song encourages us to remember.  

It's what we do at reunions or when we connect with an old friend or acquaintance.  We relive our times with a raised glass and words about the roads traveled together and how we got here. 

Scottish poet Robert Burns preserved the words of a Scottish folk song in his poem, Auld Lang Syne in 1788.  We've been singing it ever since, especially at year's end.

Auld Lang Syne translates to "old long since" in English which can be defined as "times go bye," here's to remembering days past.

Auld Lang Syne (Standard English Translation)

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne?

Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

(Verse 3)
We two have run about the hills,
and picked the daisies fine;
But we've wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne

   Chorus

 Translation from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auld_Lang_Syne

I am ready to close the door on this year, but there are moments we shouldn't forget.

Things I didn't expect to do in 2020:

• Work from home more than the office
• Use Zoom
• Making dozens of phone calls each week
• Bike 1,000 miles +
• Exercise outside instead of the gym 
• Worship from home
• Wear a mask every time I left home
• Only join my closest co-workers in person once since March (that time was socially distant)

My work from home didn't compare with those who also had to manage their children's schooling, but it took adjusting.  The biggest hurdle was making calls from a phone with an out-of-state area code.  The strange 3 digits on my number meant a lot of people I called didn't answer.

Just like most of you, I didn't know what Zoom was before the pandemic, now it's something virtually everyone is using to visit virtually.

In the early days of "safer at home" I discovered how important it was to regularly make check-in calls to donors and residents.  This is something I plan to continue.

Left outside when Anytime Fitness closed during the early days of Coronavirus, I started running outside for the first time in years and began morning rides three or more days a week.  While I expect to return to the gym in a vaccinated Covid world, I plan to continue outdoor runs and rides as part of the routine.

You couldn't have convinced me even a week before it started that instead of going to church we would attend from our living room.  Whether it was recorded or live-streamed, it was a safe way to praise God while keeping the health of Oakwood residents and co-workers in mind.

After differing opinions during the early days of the pandemic, wearing a mask to the store and work became second nature.  People who wear masks protect the people they interact with and protect themselves and their family from infection.  It's smart and courteous, not a political statement.  I don't know that will be something that continues long-term, but it's something I'd do during flu season if the situation requires.

Between March 23 and today the three of us who work in the Oakwood Foundation have only been together once.  I miss the interaction, cooperation, and synergy that happens when working together in the same space.  We've come up with new ways to communicate and do our jobs, but this is one version of "normal" I hope returns by mid-year.

Finally, I suggest we remember Covid-19 and its impact, so if it or another virus rears its ugly head we don't repeat the mistakes of 2020.