It’s hard to believe its been about a year since our worlds changed. February of last year, most of us were going about our lives, unaware of how things would change in the next year. Now it seems like it’s impossible to remember a time when the pandemic and its impacts weren’t a daily part of our lives. I guess I just want to use this blog as a way to reflect on the past year and what all these changes have brought us. I hope these words resonate with you and give you permission to sit and think on this last year, the good, the bad, the new, the frustrating, the joyful.
It’s Everyone’s First Global Pandemic
Regardless of what you do, where you live, how much money you make, what your hobbies are, and what sports teams you root for, there is nothing like a global pandemic to be the great equalizer. Suddenly we can relate more than we ever could to our fellow man. I think in this past year, I have learned to be more appreciative of people’s time, and give everyone the grace I want to receive myself. Maybe we aren’t all as fast at responding, or have limited bandwidth because we are juggling work, kids, and family. But I like to think we are all a little more understanding of those we interact with. It is our first global pandemic after all.
A Return to the Basics
For many people, this time has meant digging deeper into activities and hobbies more reminiscent of our grandparents time. So many people tried their very first garden, baked their very first loaf of bread, tried out woodworking, worked on home DIY projects. For some of us, that wasn’t anything new. But there is something wonderful about watching a whole new group of people fall in love with the thing you love doing. I had friends reaching out for advice on bread baking and gardening. We tackled some home renovations ourselves. Just this focus on our homes and our food really has brought us simpler and richer satisfactions. There is nothing quite like finishing a project you’ve done with your own two hands. And many people felt that for the first time.
A Greater Awareness of Our Community
More than ever, I cared about what was happening in the lives of those in my community and around the world. This past year, I tuned in the news and became more educated on the issues in other’s lives. I better understand our supply chain due to grocery shortages, our research systems watching the vaccine be developed, and our crisis response systems as our state and local governments worked hard to ensure the safety of our community, elderly, at risk, and children. I hope this awareness is something I carry for years to come and that I prioritize learning what my neighbor’s issues are.
We won’t take Time Together For granted
I don’t think we will take time spent together for granted again. Any holiday, any weekend, any meal with grandparents, or grandkids. Trips with friends, evenings at high school sports events. Time spent with our customers in the tractor, sitting on a truck tailgate, in their shops. I don’t think we will ever take these moments lightly again. I will be thankful for every meal I can eat with my family and every combine ride with a customer. I will be thankful for sitting right next to people at sport events and cheering loudly together.
Reflecting back on this past year, what are you most thankful for? What lessons have you carried away? What are you vowing to do moving forward? We are so thankful for each one of you, and hope you are staying safe and healthy. We want to take the time to thank you for the patience, understanding, and support you all have given us as individuals and as a business. We are so appreciative of your friendship and the opportunity to work with each one of you.
We are looking forward to planting season and excited to see so many of you, even if that is socially distanced as we drop off seed. Excited for these next few months! Planting will be here in a whirlwind, so lets do all we can to prepare now. If you have some last acres to order, or want to talk through your seeding plan, give us a call and we can chat.
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