Hope and The Jitterbug

Today is one of those days where I feel hopeful. I don't know if I would go as far as to say I have a completely positive outlook, but I do feel hopeful and I'll take it. There have been many days over the past year where I wondered if my typical level of optimism and general belief that good will eventually prevail would ever return to normal. I am usually a pretty positive person and have long held the belief that everything will work out how it should in the end. There have definitely been times this year when that philosophy has been put to the test, where nothing seemed to make sense and life was completely unpredictable. And it still is. 

As of today 1,389,770 people have died from COVID-19 related issues across the world. The number of cases are rising by the day and countless people have had to deal with the impacts of the disease. These impacts go beyond physical health to financial wellness and psychological well-being. This pandemic has rocked us to our core and has  bound us together in our globalized world. And now there is a glimmer of hope as vaccines are being developed and on the verge of being rolled out. 

I have realized now more than ever how vital hope is to human beings. As a verb the word hope is defined in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as, "to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment; to expect with confidence." Life may never be exactly how it was before the pandemic started, and for those who lost a loved one it surely never will be. However, somehow we must all figure out a way forward with important lessons gained and eternal appreciation for life's simplest moments.

While chatting with my dear friend Kate about feeling hopeful despite continued uncertainty, she replied, "After the last flu epidemic they partied for a decade and invented bathing suits and bikes for women, the jitterbug and dance halls. We'll be lucky if we have half as much fun."

So here's to remaining hopeful and looking forward to what's to come!