Happy New Year (2021)

Dear Friends,-

I hope this blog finds you and your family in good health as we still fight the global pandemic. The year 2020 was a pretty unusual one and I do not remember any experience similar to this one. When the year started, little did we know how it will unfold. It started just like any other year as we celebrated Riaan's second birthday in January. 

We went to Hawaii to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary during the Spring break week (first week of March). It turned out to be a perfectly timed vacation as the lockdowns started the week after.  

From around the third week of March, just like everyone else, we started adjusting to the so called "new-normal," and as you all can vouch for me, it was never easy. The daycare closed and ever since Riaan has not seen his friends from Kindercare; he keeps remembering them from time to time. We had to call off our much awaited trip to the Yellowstone National Park that was booked for this summer, and also our trip back home to India for this year. The Summer and Fall was mostly covered with a mask -- a few trips to some local state parks around us, a socially distanced train ride at Strasburg, an hour drive to see some Fall colors, and walking/biking around in the neighborhood. 

Having said all this, it would be unfair not to acknowledge the positive developments and the silver linings. By the grace of God, we all are doing pretty good health-wise and our parents back in India are all healthy as well. Work from home gave me an opportunity to spend more time with our son which would not have been possible otherwise. We also purchased a home in November and became first time home owners. 

Lastly, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all the frontline workers for all their hard work and sacrifices. As we see the vaccines around the corner, hopefully 2021 would be an year of a gradual and smooth transition from the pandemic era to a more normal world where we would be able to see our full family and all our friends in person once again, feel them and hug them, and travel to places without the fear of getting exposed to the virus. 

Wish you and your family a healthy and a happy new year, 2021. May this be the year of transitioning back to normal. 

Stay safe and stay healthy !!!

Cheers.

Aritra, Ria, and Riaan.