I love playing in the snow, but oh how I’ve missed sunbathing! This is my favorite time of the year. It makes me so happy to be able to play in the yard and sit by my mom’s feet while she’s out on the deck reading a book. I’m always much happier when my mom is happy, and I can feel that she, and all the visitors that come to our home, are much lighter and more positive.

I’ve been overhearing my mom and co-workers talking about a pandemic since last year. But lately, I’ve been hearing more about something called a “vaccine” that is making things better. I don’t like needles or the vet, but my mom seemed so relieved when she came home after her second visit to the doctor. I’m just recovering from Lyme Disease and had to go to the vet once, and that was more than enough for me…two times in one month seems like my worst nightmare, but I’m glad it made my mom feel better!

My mom still has lots of meetings in our home office, but she has gone out to meet with clients in-person a few times. She used to leave home to go to work and meet clients, and I hate being home alone. This past year has been so great because she has been home with me every day! I am glad that people are happier and that the “vaccine” keeps people healthy, but I selfishly don’t want my mom to go back to working the way she was before last year. Now that is it warmer and my mom and I can play outside together, I want her to stay home with me!

It’s hard to believe that a whole year has gone by since the pandemic caused the shutdown in March of last year. So much has changed, and humanity as a whole still has some healing to do. However, we here at Danosky & Associates have reflected on the lessons we have learned in the past year, and how we have grown since the world has changed. Here’s what our team has to say: 

Matthew: For me, as it did for many people, the pandemic magnified the lesson that we’re all connected and dependent on one another. Its been especially hard for that lesson to come at a time when we couldn’t be together in person, but I’m looking forward to reconnecting with all the people I haven’t seen in the near future!

Sharon: I was petrified when we went into quarantine on March 13th. I literally watched business disappear. I felt a powerful sense of foreboding and isolation. I react to crisis by taking action – always have – it’s my adrenaline response. I remember the next 8-10 weeks were crazy as I pivoted, developed webinars, and tried to curate information that was coming in and get it out to our sector via newsletters. For several months, it was a blur. Now, as I look back – I realize how profound a change this has brought about. I have shifted my business model, recruited new members to our team, found more balance in my life, and have enjoyed my home in a way that I had not done previously. Family ties strengthened, friendships deepened, and new ones came about. And I have become far more aware of my own white advantage and the need to look at my work and relationships from a more inclusive perspective. As difficult as this was – and I never wish to go through anything like this again – I am nevertheless so grateful for all I have experienced and learned.  

Jaclyn: It’s hard to believe a year has passed since COVID took over our country. One thing I have learned is just how valuable our family, friends, and loved ones are. Not being able to come together for holidays, birthdays, and special occasions has been difficult. Hugs have been replaced by phone calls and zoom sessions. Things that used to be simple, like going to the grocery store or out to eat, no longer are. While we stop and look at the world around us, I cannot help but realize what I used to take for granted. Once this is all over, we will pick ourselves back up and all appreciate each other more than ever before.

Sue: I was never one to take life for granted but the pandemic certainly gave me a whole new perspective on the subject. Life and relationships became much more precious. As our country became divided this past year, even over how to deal with the pandemic, I was gravely concerned but still saw hope. I learned we can get through anything if we put our minds to it. I also learned that being able to pivot quickly during a crisis can really make a huge difference.

Juanita: I remember sitting at work one day arranging the final logistics for the upcoming projects and workshops that were on Danosky & Associates’ calendar when Sharon came through the door and announced, “We need to invest in Zoom.” My only thought was, “Zoom? What’s Zoom?” Sharon was thinking far beyond that day. Her thoughts were months, even years ahead of what would soon be known as the “new normal.” That’s when my whirlwind began. I quickly learned just about all there was to know about this thing called…”Zoom,” and after spending countless hours together, Zoom and I became close friends. Thanks to Sharon’s long term vision, Danosky & Associates pivoted to a complete virtual and remote platform in a matter of weeks. There was no stopping me after that. I scheduled standing meetings with family and friends each Saturday and Sunday, which have lasted the entire year. One thing this new normal has taught me is to cherish family and friends and to spend as much time enjoying them as possible. And I also learned that I can pivot with the best of them.

Casey: Reality as we knew it changed in March of last year, and life changed with it. I am so grateful to have been able to experience studying abroad, a college graduation, moving to a new place, spending time with friends and family, celebrating holidays, and going through the seemingly “normal” motions of life before COVID. A year later, it took some personal growth and acceptance, but I don’t take any of the little things in life for granted. I have spent a lot of much-needed time discovering a new path in my career, spending time with my newly vaccinated grandmothers, leaving time for hobbies, and living this new life to the fullest. I feel that humanity was given a reality check and we have to choose to grow from this!