It’s been a roller-coaster of a year, and from small kid time until today – I have never liked roller-coasters. Whether it be at the E.K. Fernandez Show’s weekend carnival or at Disneyland, roller-coasters were never my cup of tea. Thank goodness this one seems to be winding to a close. While still a long way from being over, at least the ride seems to have slowed somewhat, the twists and turns have leveled out, and the end of the craziness seems to be approaching.

2020 has been a double-stress-whammy with the virus threatening our health, and political discord threatening our Democracy.

Fortunately, this extraordinary year is coming to a close on both of these fronts.  Many good things of a positive and hopeful nature are happening now, “as we speak” (or as we Zoom which may be the case).

The people have spoken and voted. Through a clear and unequivocal majority, Joe Biden has won the election to be President of the United States. I am hopeful and confident that the minority who supported the other candidate and the majority that prevailed, will both now tone down the divisive rhetoric and turn their common energy and attention toward creating a more positive future for all.

Let’s find our common ground, and then leverage it.

While the pandemic continues to rage across the planet, we are ending the year with multiple vaccines being distributed to our most vulnerable and most at-risk populations. Within a few short months, by spring or early summer, the majority of us will have had the opportunity to be vaccinated and thus protected from the virus. I’m not sure what the death knell of a pandemic drawing its final breath sounds like, but I think we’re starting to hear it.

When it’s my turn, you can be sure I will be rolling up my sleeve without hesitation. As a child, I was vaccinated for measles, mumps, and other illnesses. As an adult now in the prime of my life I have also been vaccinated for flu and pneumonia. These are the choices I’ve made for myself and my family, and I’m hopeful that a great majority in our community will do the same.

It’s a trifecta of good news really. We have a new President, multiple new vaccines, and finally, the COVID Economic Stimulus package has been approved and the checks are literally in the mail!

Did you hear that?  Am pretty sure I heard my mother at this very moment shouting out from her home on the continent, a hearty “Praise the Lord!”

And not a moment too soon. People are hurting bad.

It’s all fine and dandy to be happy about a new President and the unveiling of new vaccines, but when you can’t afford rent, you’ve been unemployed now for months, or your business is crashing down around you – the political bickering is exacerbating and the extra money is needed now.. 

Another strong dose of good news coming out of Governor Ige’s office is his announcement that the public-worker furloughs are being postponed indefinitely. 

It’s good to end the year with hope and positivity. While we still have a ways to go, it looks like this roller-coaster may very well be ending soon and there is in fact light at the end of the tunnel. 

Best wishes to all.  Please do what you can and reach out to help those less fortunate. Say hello to your neighbors, find someone of the opposite political persuasion and talk about food, or the weather, or the children or grandchildren. Tell your friends and family how much you appreciate them. 

Stay safe. Don’t let your guard down, please.  Not yet.