When the new year was born, we shushed and cooed in happiness, cuddling the initial days with softest wishes and warmest plans. We took baby steps in planning ahead, some with a new vacation, with new jobs, with new family, with new business, and there were people like me, waiting to welcome a new life in this world.
But then, it happened, the year 2020 grew up.
By the time, we realised how 2020 was an unfortunate year, I simply couldn’t call it a bad year. With the news channels throwing graphs of death and social media advertising about matching masks made from ‘Kanjipuram Silk’, I had very little place to escape with my huge belly waiting to pop out a baby.
I was stressed, and even emotionally weakened when the state borders closed, there by isolating me from my husband. I could feel the kicks of my baby in my stomach and fear grabbing my throat. The thought of going through the first pregnancy, without my husband next to me, in the midst of this pandemic was making me sick.
By then, the situation became a new way of life. The virus, though deathly in nature must have had a kindred spirit tucked in the corner somewhere, making people more humble and humane. It confined us within four walls, forced us to have dinner with our family, turned us into conversationalist, and made us reach within us, making us explore new talents.
Lives were lost, tears were shed, weddings were stopped, jobs were lost and poverty engulfed, but we were forced to move on, with no proper time to grieve.
Life had to go on, and the fear was only making things worse. I did realise though, that I had something to look forward to, my little baby was still kicking and the due date was fast approaching.
And then, it happened.
She was perfect. This would probably be the only time I smiled, when she cried her lungs out.
She was perfect, even though she was making her way into this world during a pandemic. The future will always call 2020 a doom’s year and the year deserves the title. But it also reminded us in its own way, how unpredictable life is, how beautiful it can be when we put some effort. And, for me, it was a year that could never be defined in words.
Maybe, I could try and define it as a year that taught me how precious lives are and there will always be new glitches, waiting to destroy our otherwise perfect world.
To all those who lost their loved ones in 2020, my deepest condolence. Their lives mattered and let their soul finally rest in peace.
To all those who started something special, embrace it with pride!
Happiness is just around the corner. Let us look forward to it!
