2020: The Year We Will Never Forget

By: Maria Girlie Pascual

 

The Publisher has gently hinted that she wanted us to think about the year that just passed, how it impacted us, what events we personally had to go through due to the pandemic, how it possibly changed us. Where do I start?

We did not grasp the full impact of this pandemic called COVID 19 until it started affecting how we lived, interacted with others, how we needed to stay put and obey the law of lockdown if you were not deemed an “essential worker” by the government. For us personally, the pandemic only exacerbated the conditions surrounding my daughter-in-law’s Stage 4 cancer condition, especially when she had to move here with my son and 1 year old grandson from California (Thank God) so she can get the assistance she needed from family members when her weakened physical abilities worsened. What became a cold dose of reality of the nature of COVID 19 was the fact that when she was hospitalized, we can only drop her off to be admitted, and she had to be by herself in a hospital, alone in a struggling healthcare system that was trying to handle COVID patients the best they can, even when it was evident that the country was not prepared for the pandemic at all. In the months of agony that she suffered, and suffered alone in the hospital, it was heart wrenching to know that my son and other family members, texted, used FaceTIme or called her to give her encouragement, and dropped off food for her at the hospital lobby almost daily, just to send her a message of love and hope, to let her know that she was not, and never alone in her struggle with the ravaging and painful effect of her cancer. Sadly, her 38 year old chemo and radiation battered body succumbed to the inevitable, and Svienna Sisaleum Wildoer was finally laid to rest next to her mother and grandmother on May 15, 2020, a week after Mother’s Day.

My grandson just turned 2 last November, but when the COVID affected a number of people and numbers started going up, we all became fearful of contamination from others because testing was not offered readily and easily to the general public, and so we had to assume everyone we met might be a carrier or worse, was infected but asymptomatic. Masks, disinfectant, anti-bacterial wipes flew off the shelves, and food and supplies were stocked up in homes across the country as we waited for the cure. Meanwhile, my job as a real estate broker was deemed “essential”, so I continued to give service to my clients, sellers, buyers, and investors. They all came out of the woodwork when mortgage rates hit a record low, at 3% or under for 30 years! This resulted in a booming real estate market and 2020 became my best year ever! Between taking care of my grandson when I became his surrogate mom, juggling appointments at the office, showing and listing properties, Svienna’s aunt Nang Sonsamouth and sister Malyssa Sisaleum offered to take care of little Kenzo while his dad, my son Kristoffer and I continued to work outside of the home. It was a tough, emotional, stressful year, but we managed to get through it like everyone else, offering help, food, financial assistance and prayers to others when we can.

In between the stress and strife, we managed to hold several, small celebrations just to keep our sanity. We cooked, ate, reminisced, sang, danced, vented, laughed and cried on different occasions, mostly with the same family members, with the same small group of friends just to be safe. All of us also had COVID tests done in between these get-togethers, just to be sure, but realized that human interaction is as important as social distancing, face masks, hand- washing and quarantining. Some days we just had to come up for air with others that are going through the same thing.

Then the Presidential election happened. With the pandemic numbers rising, the cure not available yet, and with a country so divided, most were vocal about their choices, whether it was asked about or not. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram all became political platforms for anyone that cared about who will be in the White House in 2021, and heated debates ensued on these social media sites, even at home between spouses, relatives, siblings, neighbors, etc. It became so stressful for me personally, I had to block friends that seemed to go over the edge in their beliefs. Hey, we are all entitled to our opinion, and our vote is personal, that we needed to agree to disagree. With that being said, I look forward with renewed hope for this New Year.

The cure is out, the vaccine is making its rounds to the general population as I write this piece. After Svienna died, and how this pandemic made sure she was all alone in the hospital battling for her life, I now look at the world with the future of my son and grandson in its sights. Although I pray that I hopefully have a few more good years ahead of me, God willing, I always try to focus on how I can contribute for a better future right now. Money cannot solve everything, but reminding my son to eat healthy, stay strong, and to look at things positively for the sake of Kenzo. This positive outlook in the face of life’s challenges may hopefully arm them with a bit of an edge when the next earth shaking matter strikes. It can be a personal struggle, a health issue, another political event, or it might be another worldwide disease which we hope will not happen until this one is resolved. It could also be daily tasks like trying to make a living while raising your child to the best of your abilities as you struggle to navigate the so called “new normal” brought about by COVID 19. Yes, the world has changed indeed, forced us to hunker down and spend time with family, rethink and maybe make new plans for the future, enjoy the little things while trying not to worry about the big things, holding on to each other for comfort. Back to basics, I say, where family has once more, become as important as the air we breathe, and by “family” I mean community, friendship, society.

We were all affected by 2020, one way or the other, but in the end, we all rise together as one community, in this planet we all call HOME. To God be the Glory and may He have mercy on all of us, and bless us with health, family, love and the wisdom to know it when we have it, and learn to appreciate each other. Happy 2021 everyone! Let’s all look to a brighter and better year ahead.

The Wildoers Kristoffer, Kenzo and Wolf with the Pascuals, my brother Brent with wife Dodjie and kids Miki and Mika

New Year’s Eve with the Garcia’s, Barrington’s newest residents with Daddy Antonio Garcia

New Year’s Eve part 2 with the Pascual’s, Garcias before midnight with my brothers Brent and Bently
and their families

The Garcia’s of Virginia Jojo, Dids, Julian, Elianna and Jodi with the Pascuals and Wildoer family

Christmas with my son Kristoffer, grandson Kenzo, Lolo Wolf from California and Lala Girlie

My brothers Brent and Bently Pascual with my son Kristoffer enjoy a moment

A touching gift of memories for Kristoffer

Antonio Garcia at his new residence with daughter Yanni and friends Elizabeth Regacho and yours truly at New Year’s Eve

Check out the huge crab leg with Dodjie, Dids and Jojo loving the food

Playing Pictionary before midnight Christmas Eve

December birthday celebration for James Delacruz

My brother Bently, wifey Pie and daughter Sabrina

My sis in laws Pie and Dodjie Pascual with my brothers Brent and Bently and Kristoffer

Post birthday celebration for Svienna and farewell party for Wolf

Santa Wolf giving out gifts