LETTER: Numbers tell story of ‘terrible year’ but there’s hope for 2021

To Ozaukee Press:

2020 is a year of division and can be divided evenly by many numbers. 2020 also gave way too many other divisions: countless demonstrations and elections results. Most importantly, it gave us many Covid-19 numbers.

It keeps barraging us with numbers of the sick, the loss of lives and, let us not forget, the loss of livelihoods for many people because of the disease. The ramifications are endless. I, for one, fear Covid-19 because of my own health risk.  

What have I done to cope with it? While walking or biking this summer, I counted how many deer, rabbits or cardinals I saw on each excursion. The friendly hellos and nods from fellow walkers and bikers were countless. I love seeing people enjoying our parks and lake, whether by walking, biking, sitting on a bench, eating their lunch, sailing or fishing.

This Christmas season, I saw a group of about 12 bicyclists dressed in Santa and elf costumes riding and waving to us. I also saw a group of about 14 dog walkers, each dog dressed in a bright Christmas sweater. Appropriate? Oh, yeah! I counted 26 cars with Christmas trees adorning their roofs. I couldn’t possibly count all the festive lights I’ve seen, including those in downtown Port Washington.

2020 has been a terrible year, but my ghost of the Christmas future is hopeful. People donate food to the hungry, the Salvation Army, toys to the children and countless other fundraisers.

2021 will be an odd-numbered year. We will continue to mourn the victims and celebrate the survivors of Covid-19. Those wonderful medical workers are to be highly commended. I rejoice in the hope that  the vaccine will give all people many more years to enjoy the sights and sounds of all the future seasons in their precious lives.  

Sandy Bates
Port Washington