2020 has made me cry "uncle" for the time being

As a young child my brother and I would fight from time to time and since he was five years older than me these scraps would always end with me being forced to cry "uncle". Afterwards I would retreat to my room to "lick my wounds" and build up the courage to take him on again in the future. Of course there would always be more "scraps" and since I was was much smaller the result would be repeated over and over again until I became much older. As 2020 continues a relentless march into the 10th month, I can't help but begin to return to those boyhood fights and feelings of helplessness that I felt after losing yet another battle with my brother. 2020 seems to winning the battle once more with the announcement of the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg!

As an adult (and leaders of groups) we really aren't really allowed to run away and hide from issues and problems. However, today I have chosen to retreat to seek solace and isolation from the year 2020. My response to the death of Ruth Bader Ginsberg was a combination of absolute sadness at the loss of such a giant of our justice system. She was unrelenting in her willingness to stand for those whose voice was not being heard or respected by others. The other realization after her death is that I have absolutely no confidence in our government's ability to nominate some who has the immense talents as as an arbiter of justice like RBG. Additionally they will merely seek to find someone who will merely represents the views of the majority party.

If this news wasn't enough, it just so happens that this weekend also begins a 3 week lockdown here in Israel where we are limited to movement of no more than 1000 meters from our residence. This is the 2nd such lockdown here in Israel since the COVID 19 outbreak and the beginning of what is now my 9th week of quarantine that I have personally experienced since last March. At the same time, I know that I am not unique and that many others are in the exact same situation. That includes my own father has been largely confined to his room at an assisted living facility since last March.

As I begin this isolation I will try to forget some of the current and past challenges that 2020 has thrown at us:

Nearly 200,000 Americans have lost their life to this COVID 19 pandemic.
The pattern of systemic racism that continues to occur in the US highlighted by the death of George Floyd and others in the past year.
Schools all over the world being held via online platforms instead of on campus as a result of COVID 19 directives
Wildfires burning out of control all over the west coast causing damage, deaths, and challenges for safe air in many areas

Much like when I was a young boy growing up in Wenatchee, I will cry "uncle" for a short time and retreat to "lick my wounds" and prepare myself as best I can for the next "punch" that 2020 will undoubtedly deliver. My fingers are crossed that the knockout blow won't come on Tuesday, November 3rd!

In the meantime I will retreat temporarily and seek to find some solace in an endless stream of tweets from @RexChapman and @Dogs Bruh. I will get you started with this one and challenge you not to smile and feel just a bit better despite all the challenges that 2020 has thrown at us.

Be safe... be healthy... be well... and don't be silent!.

====================================================================== "Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you."

-Ruth Bader Ginsberg (1933-2020)