As I write this, I am in awe that we are heading into March, the month that changed our lives in an instant a year ago and still hasn’t fully given them back. Looking back on last year, it still seems surreal in so many ways. Part of me feels like it was a dream, yet I know all too well that it is in fact a harsh reality.
As we approach the one year anniversary of our first lockdown, I am approaching this new month with hope and optimism for the future, as opposed to the fear and uncertainty we faced just one year ago. Don’t get me wrong. There is still plenty to be uncertain about but there is also more to be hopeful about. We have learned and grown in ways we never thought possible in the last year and have come to appreciate life in a whole new way.
I thought it would be a great exercise to sit down and list out the things I am most hopeful for this month. It will not only put me in the right mindset but also give me something to look forward to, which is something that was taken away from all of us last year.
Dates of Importance:
March 4th-National Sons Day
While we should celebrate our kids every day, I love that there is a day to remind us to reflect on how blessed we are to have a son. This year has been one of the hardest with his Senior year being completely taken away from him, yet he is so resilient and has found so many ways to try and find joy, even when I couldn’t.
March 8th-International Women’s Day
Again, we should celebrate who we are as women every single day, but I love a day dedicated to who we are and how far we have come. These days women can do anything, and regardless of your political affiliation, we can even hold a VP title. We are all created unique but when we come together, this day gives us a reason to celebrate all that we are.
March 14th-Daylight Savings in CA
This is one of my favorite times of year. I love that the sun stays out later. It motivates me to get outside after work and get a good walk in or just get more done in general. When it gets dark at 5:30, it feels like it it’s time for dinner and time to go to bed. I can’t wait for this time change.
March 17th-St. Patrick’s Day
Not usually a big day that we celebrate in our family, although I do have Irish on my side of the family but these days, we will take any reason to celebrate, even if that means drinking a green beer!
March 19th-My son’s first official baseball game of his Senior year.
I hope and pray this sticks on the calendar. I have no idea yet if we will be able to watch in person but I pray we will. This will be one of the only milestones he has been able to celebrate this year, other than taking a senior pic. It marks the beginning of the end of his high school baseball career and I pray it happens.
March 20th-First Day of Spring
While I always look forward to Spring, this year I have been counting down to it. Spring always brings new life and hope for a better future, especially in the Christian faith when it is combined with Easter. It means warmer weather and more reasons to get outside and enjoy life.
March 27th-My Daughter’s 15th Birthday
I love that there is National Sons Day at the beginning of the month because the end of March is dedicated to our baby girl who will be turning 15 this year. Last year we went into lockdown just 1 week before her birthday so it was filled with Zoom wishes and social distance visits. This year, we are hopeful to be able to celebrate with a small group of her friends and make it extra special for her.
March 29th-My Niece’s 14th Birthday
March is always special because my sweet niece celebrates her birthday just two days after my daughter. I love the bond these two have always had because they are just a year apart.
I have a list already forming for April which makes me so excited and even more hopeful. Maybe I will make this a monthly series to kick off each month. I highly recommend it right now to help reframe your outlook on the future. Hope March is filled with love, laughter and celebrations for all of you.