As we head into 2021, I've been reflecting back on the previous year. 2020 was a lot and certainly not the year I’d planned for! It's tempting to write it off and pretend it didn't happen but amongst the chaos there were still good times.
Work was full on, challenging at times but ultimately rewarding. I’m proud to have worked for an essential service that put people first but still managed to provide services to the primary industries throughout a rough year. That we could transition to a new CEO so smoothly is a testament to how well we pulled together for our shared vision. Very busy year and I loved my break, to recharge and unwind but I'm already back to work tackling some big changes.
Professionally my focus has been on my governance experience and skills. Mid-year I joined the Institute of Directors and have since attended a number of training courses, meetings and social events meeting some amazing people and learning a great deal in a short time. I’m putting this to use as a director of two commercial subsidiaries and the three community groups I volunteer with.
On a personal level it’s been tough getting the work/life balance right, especially when the physical separations vanished. Got things back on track with the help of friends and family, some well established disciplines that are working well. None of it would’ve been possible without my amazing partner Josh, who is always there to motivate and support me. We survived both lockdowns stuck at home, our relationship feels stronger for it!
Last year saw some big changes for my family. One of the most significant was farewelling the Light family home. It was the house that my father and grandfather built before I was born, in the then-undesirable Devonport. Four decades and a few additions later, a lot of memories formed and shared in that house. We lost the building to a fire a few years ago (no one was hurt), so it was just an empty section but still hard to say goodbye to a place that has been part of our life for so long. New chapter for my parents and for us all as they move to a new home (not too far away).
In other new beginnings we welcomed another member to the family with our newest nephew, the delightful Hugo born to my brother and his fiancé in August. I managed to sneak in a visit between lockdowns for a quick cuddle. He's already an awesome little dude and I'm looking forward to getting to know him better as he grows up. There were some other significant birthdays which we managed to celebrate and recognise depending on restrictions at the time. Family video conferences were suitably chaotic and fun.
While the pandemic has changed a lot, life still moves on. And we sadly had some extended whanau pass away last year. Losing anyone is difficult, even more so with the restrictions in place. Much like ANZAC Day, we learned to commemorate and grieve apart but still together. We also had a number of health scares for close family and friends, which can hit hard especially when physical interaction wasn't always possible.
It reminded me that I’ve lost touch with some people I didn’t mean to, some of it was lockdown related but other times it’s just life getting in the way. Will try to do better in 2021!
That’s not to say it was a lonely or quiet year. Despite the social and physical distancing, I met new people, as well as the amazing humans I already have the pleasure of knowing. We volunteered, we collected rubbish, dressed up in costumes, celebrated, commiserated and shared in a very unusual year.
We closed out the year with a neighborhood street party on Christmas Eve. We're fortunate to know our neighbors well and the residents of our street have supported each other through some challenging times. So after a year of social distancing, it was nice to celebrate together and welcome the newer members to the street. The wide range of cultures reflected in the food with BBQs, dumplings, curries, braai and more. First time we've done it but there's already talk of doing it throughout the year which is awesome.
Wishing everyone the very best for the New Year.