By: Alora E. Peters, Arts and Culture Editor
If anyone were to ask, it would be far from difficult to make a list of all of the bad, frustrating, depressing, vexing, saddening, and generally unhappy things that have happened in the last eleven months of 2020.
But what if someone were to ask about the good things that happened this year?
It is a difficult question. However, even in the midst of a rough 2020, members of the Saint Leo community have found that there is still plenty to be grateful for.
“I was very happy to return to Saint Leo for my senior year,” said Samantha Harris, who is majoring in Religion and works as the co-president of Imago Dei. “I am so thankful for the chance to spend this time with friends and continue my education.”
These stressful and uncertain times have prompted many members of Saint Leo’s community to turn to prayer and reflection. (Photo by Alora Peters)
Harris found that she was able to look on the bright side and find positive outcomes during the prolonged shutdowns that happened across the nation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Although the summer was really slow, I was thankful for the time off to recharge before this semester,” she said.
Nina Michelangelo, a sophomore student who is majoring in accounting, had a similar experience during the coronavirus-inspired lockdown.
“Even though we had to quarantine and put our daily schedules on hold, 2020 definitely did allow for a lot of self-reflection,” said Michelangelo.
2020 was a particularly difficult year for Kevin Horwedel, who works as an Evaluation Assistant in the Registrar’s Office.
“Earlier this year, I was scammed out of my entire life’s savings,” said Horwedel. “I went from feeling pretty good about life, thinking about how I could use that money to buy my first house, to wondering how I could pay my rent that month.”
Horwedel found, however, that good things could still happen in spite of distressing financial problems.
“My friends and family rallied around me and helped me in a big way,” said Horwedel. “I’ve come out to the other side knowing that I have a God who loves me and who wants me to love Him just as much.”
The challenges of the past year have also reminded students that friendships, familial bonds, and relationships of all kinds are more important than ever.
“One thing in particular that I’m very grateful for this year is the incredibly strong friend circle that I have managed to encounter,” said Horwedel. “They’ve propped me up when I was at my lowest points and they are still here for me now.”
Michelangelo agreed. “This year really did give me the opportunity to think a lot about what’s important in life and allowed me to build stronger relationships with my friends as well as my family,” she said.
2020, with all of its ups and downs, has proven to be a fantastic opportunity for personal growth, especially for spiritual growth.
“Although the external situation has been bad, my spiritual life has never been better,” said Horwedel. “This year has really been the year of learning to trust God in everything.”
“I’ve learned that it is important to be thankful, even when it’s hard, and trust in God’s timing,” added Harris. “He is truly at work in all things.”
“I learned some hard lessons this year,” said Horwedel. “But those experiences made me a better man.”
Especially during this Thanksgiving season, even when external situations seem to be spiraling out of control, remember to pause and be grateful for those truly important things in life. Take some time during this holiday break to reflect on what can be learned from the events—the good and the bad—of 2020.
