Learning the lessons of lockdown for a brighter 2021 - Laura Collins, YEP Editor

There are simply not enough adjectives to describe this year – or at least ones that could be printed in a family-friendly newspaper.
Diane Schofield embraces her friend Mary Kirby, who she affectionately calls Auntie Mary, during a Christmas Day visit at Aspen Hill Village care home in Hunslet, Leeds. Picture: Danny Lawson/PA WireDiane Schofield embraces her friend Mary Kirby, who she affectionately calls Auntie Mary, during a Christmas Day visit at Aspen Hill Village care home in Hunslet, Leeds. Picture: Danny Lawson/PA Wire
Diane Schofield embraces her friend Mary Kirby, who she affectionately calls Auntie Mary, during a Christmas Day visit at Aspen Hill Village care home in Hunslet, Leeds. Picture: Danny Lawson/PA Wire

It’s been a heartbreaking and, quite frankly, exhausting year for us all.

I’m not going to bleat on about the unforgiving nature of the pandemic though and will instead reflect on some of the lessons learned in 2020.

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Family: Sadly, many have lost their loved ones and our thoughts are with them.

We’ve all missed our nearest and dearest though as our liberties were taken away and we were parted. But it means we will all appreciate our families more than ever.

In 2021, those much-missed hugs will last even longer and the next time dad tells a rubbish joke, we’ll be all the more thankful for the little laughs together.

The little things: In a world where we have been unable to switch off it, it is the little delights in life that mean so much.

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Be it spending an afternoon exploring the beauty on our own doorsteps or appreciating rare moments of peace and quiet.

We’ve also been making the most of our local traders and showing them our support to ensure that they remain on our high streets for the weeks to come.

And not forgetting all those heartwarming acts of kindness – even something as simple as a smile and a wave to a stranger has made such a difference to others.

Keeping connected: 2020 will always be remembered as the year of Google Hangouts, Microsoft Teams and Zoom quizzes.

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Let’s be honest, there are only so many times we can hear about what Postman Pat’s surname is on a quiz!

But it is through these innovative ways of keeping in touch that we have maintained our sanity and stayed connected with our family, friends and colleagues.

Despite that, we all know one person who still can’t quite fathom out how to press the unmute button after nine months.

Selflessness: Let’s not forget those who went above and beyond to make sure that nobody went without during the darkest of days.

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I’m sure we would all rather like to forget the appalling scenes in supermarkets as shoppers stockpiled on toilet roll.

We all still remember the video of the nurse weeping in her car after she was unable to get food from the supermarket after a long shift.

But one positive to come out of this was the kindness of strangers who made sure their vulnerable neighbours and communities didn’t go without.

If anything, this year has taught us all to stop, think and be mindful about those around us who have formed the backbone of this country to keep its cogs turning in the face of huge challenges.

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We have learned there will always be enough toilet roll and the year 2020 should be truly flushed down the proverbial.

Now we just have to roll with the better times that lay ahead for 2021.

And I’ll be sure to take those lessons of kindness, compassion and gratitude with me.

With that in mind, my sincere thanks go to you, our readers, for your support in a year like no other.

A message from the Editor:

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