I am from masks and hand sanitizer,
From social distancing, 6 feet at the closest,
and online learning – couldn’t say goodbye to my teachers.
From not being able to go places – (airplanes, restaurants, Disney World, parks, and school)
From the negative news, George Floyd’s death and Black Lives Matter.
I am from limited numbers of people in one spot
and sports seasons canceled.
From the explosion in Lebanon and wildfires in California, bringing ash all the way
to Connecticut.
I am from the Australia wildfires – where some koalas got saved and some didn’t.
From the loss of Kobe Bryant, Gianna Bryant, Chadwick Boseman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg,
and Alex Trebek.
From the 2020 Election,
and the Michael Jordan documentary.
I am from the bird carrying a baby shark to the deadly murder hornets
all over the world.
I am from EEE leaving, and then coming back
From the 2020 Olympics moved to 2021; some athletes will lose their chance.
From having groceries being delivered because no one wants to go to the store,
and having to wipe them down every time.
From plexiglass everywhere, toilet paper and Lysol wipe shortages
To dentists and orthodontists closed
Only going to the doctor for emergencies and COVID-19 tests
With only one parent with you at the ER; adults had to go alone
From movies being postponed and hoping that they get aired on TV
To new house projects every week so we don’t go crazy from boredom
Vacations getting canceled as new hobbies are found
I am from not being able to see anyone, besides the people in your house
From social distancing and drive-by birthdays with puzzles as presents
From streaming everything – Netflix, YouTube, Tiktok, Snapchat, Disney+
And online shopping the days away.
From people not wanting to even shake your hand, no matter who you are
From no hugs and high fives.
I am from Hamilton being the best thing that came out of 2020.
From everyone saying 2020 would be “the year” to being the year everyone would remember as
the opposite of what they expected.
From the line of continuous rapper deaths and the threat of losing another to jail time
From no train rides to New York, or ferry trips to Block Island.
I am from having to schedule and call ahead for appointments
and when you arrive you are expected to call again.
No sports going on and not being able to do any activities.
I am from only a certain amount of people allowed in a place at once
And only having Zooms and virtual classes
From backed-up orders and lines wrapping around the outside of stores
From always having a mask with you, and staying away from people in public places.
And not being able to hug your grandparents or friends.
From people being scared to leave their house
because they were scared of the virus.
And having to stay at home and come up with fun things to do
because you couldn't go anywhere unless you had a mask on
and no one really liked that.
I am from getting takeout and wiping down the bags.
From summer camps getting canceled
and from not knowing when we’d be out of isolation
From no birthday parties or sleepovers with friends.
Not being able to touch books or go to libraries.
I am from 2020.