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It could’ve been worse
On the pandemic’s one-year anniversary, I still try to count my blessings
| By Glen Liford, Editor |
2/17/2021 |
It’s been one year ago this month since we had the first lockdown due to the COVID-19 crisis. I resisted the urge to write about this pandemic at first because like many folks, I’m tired of talking and hearing about it. We have had way too many deaths and too many friends and family suffer the effects of this dreadful disease.
The chaos this pandemic has wrought in all of our lives will be with us a long time. I know everyone is growing weary of wearing masks, practicing social distancing, and missing milestones like graduations, weddings, funerals, and family gatherings. And the effects go on.
On page five of this issue, you will find a look at some of the factors experts are expecting to impact agriculture in the coming year. Many of those are COVID-19 related. On page 22, you will read about how the 2021 State Junior Swine Show was held virtually this winter — another of the livestock shows, youth activities, and ag events that has been cancelled or altered to mitigate the risks of the pandemic.
The virus was certainly the headline story from the past tumultuous 12 months, but we have also experienced social unrest, a contentious election, and a divided country. It’s been an uncomfortable and unusual period in history, to say the least.
But I think we have all learned that we are more resilient than we know and more adaptable than we expected. With the rollout of several vaccines that appear to be effective, hope is on the horizon, and while no one knows what comes next, we still have much to be thankful for.
I keep reminding myself to count my blessings each day and be grateful for those both large and small. I have thought often this year about a story shared in my family many times to keep us all focused on the positive. It’s in no way meant to diminish the difficulties or losses that many have experienced, but I think it reflects an attitude we might consider.
The story — a parable, really — is about an elderly woman whose response to whatever challenge she was facing was that “It could’ve been worse.”
“That was some flood!”
“It could’ve been worse.”
“The crops sure did poorly this year.”
“It could’ve been worse.”
The old woman’s children grew weary of their mother’s perpetual optimism, so they agreed they would find something to which she couldn’t reply, “It could’ve been worse.”
One of her daughters told the old woman that she had dreamed the devil came and carried her off.
In typical fashion, the woman responded, “It could’ve been worse.”
“Mom!” the daughter replied, exasperated. “What could be worse than the devil carrying you off?”
The old woman paused, then said, “Well, he could have made you carry him.”
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