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.
You are not responsible for any of the difficulties of 2020 and you are not tied to them.
People will say that it was the worst year ever and in many ways that is true but that is not true for me because 2020 brought you.
I am grateful you were born in this year even though it was with some unique challenges, this year will always be special for me because you are one of my greatest joys.
There were aspects of the year you were born that I did not love and that brought significant hardship for our family, you were what made this year better.
In many ways, you represent hope, a rainbow of promise but that doesn’t mean you have to be our hope and live up to some expectation of carrying our healing- our recovery is ours to bear and commit to as our promise to you.
It is not your job to make up for any of the hardship of the year you were born and it is not your job to make it better for us, you just being here does that already.
2020 brought a lot of change and challenges and you brought joy, hope, peace, promise, and so much love. You are the beauty amidst the chaos.
I love you. Thank you for being you. I’m so grateful to be your mommy.
Mommy
*Photo credit: Meghann Street Photography
