I wonder how the babies born during this tumultuous year will think of the year of their birth someday. As they hear us all talk about the “worst year ever” will they possibly internalize it? Maybe. Maybe not. I hope not.
I’ve decided to be mindful of how we talk about this year in our family to try and balance validating how difficult it is/has been/was with how amazing and wonderful that our littlest joy came to us in 2020. The best part of this difficult year has been the new person that comes into the world and our family.
Here’s the message I hope my baby grows to know.
To my baby born in 2020,
There are a few things I need you to know:
You are the brightest spot of what has been a difficult year.
That 2020 has sucked is not your fault nor is it your burden.
You are not cursed or bad luck or in any way a problem because you were born in 2020.
You make 2020 one of the best years of my life.
Yes, there was a pandemic, civil unrest, a bizarre election, school was super strange, the economy struggling, and people were obsessed with a weird animal abuser and criminal collector of big cats but none of that defines who you are.
Whenever I feel overwhelmed by all of that in this “unprecedented” year, I have loved that I can hold you and for a moment be lost in the wonder that is you.
Though there have been disappointments and heartaches, loss, and grief, you have softened that pain, and I have never been disappointed that you are here making this world even more beautiful.
