I don’t remember a time in my life when attention was so given to the transition from one decade to the next. Well, aside from the now infamous, rarely spoken about Y2K where we said good bye to the 1900’s and catapulted into the new millennium. That was indeed a time which was what some might say was much ado about nothing – anticlimactic at best.

But now we sit at the feet of 2020 and that (for whatever reason) seems a whole lot different.

Personally speaking, I’m guessing I’m no different than many of you. My life looks drastically different heading into 2020 than it did on the New Year of Y2K. After all, it was 20 years ago, a complete lifetime ago really.

For those close in age perhaps you’ve seen the meme stating ‘How is it possible that the year 2000 was 20 years ago, when 1980 was just 20 years ago?’ Yep! I’m completely in that club.

On the eve of Y2K I was what was once called a “DINK” – double income no kids – and loving every minute of it. The notion of children, far from my radar. Long hours in the corporate world of Southern California was my jam, handing out business cards and lunches with “important” people my pastime.

Small town life, young children and a life built on spewing words nowhere close to any type of goal or bucket list, yet here I sit. And quite similar to the girl I was in Y2K I am still loving every minute of it.

The year 2019 however, has been an odd one and while much goodness came from the final year of the decade, I am indeed ready to bid it adieu. I’m excited for the fresh start of a new decade.

I lost a lot of things in 2019. The number one thing would be, making time for myself which was something I truly came to master in the past five years. The good news is, I’m surrounded by people who see the difference it makes for me mentally (and physically) and all are giving me the nudge to put myself back on top. Oddly, I’ve never been more ready.

I’m a lucky girl. I’ve felt that for a long time and while some might view it as boasting or egocentric, I’d have to say my thoughts drastically differ.

I’m a girl who believes in recognizing good fortune and paying it forward. Now don’t misunderstand – I am indeed a journalist so when using the word “fortune” I’m not speaking of monetary value.

This life of mine is rich in many ways that have little to do with money. In moments when things get tough, I have some amazing ride or dies, ready to sweep me up. I also happen to share company with people who take little time (none really) discussing others, unless it’s in a way of concern to be a positive force in their lives.

Most recently a girlfriend and I were discussing a local couple and I inquired if they were divorcing. As she began trying to recall what she had heard, she quickly followed with, “Ya know, I don’t know and I don’t care. I don’t know those people, that’s not my deal.”

Brilliance. This was a great and powerful ‘aha’ moment for me as I recognized she was absolutely right. And so … our conversation moved on to matters which concerned us directly. That’s good stock in a human, right there.

So now, as I look to 2020 my focus is strong on being the positive light, thoughtful, loving, understanding and patient. This world has plenty of the opposite, there’s really no room left for one more.

Now here’s to 2020, a decade which has yet to show us what will be next. I mean the past decade has taken us to getting into cars with strangers, having groceries being brought to our cars, just about any item we can fathom delivered to our home in 24 hours or less and need I say it … the perfection of the “selfie.” Oh dear goodness … here we go. Here’s to another 10 years which makes 40 years seem like 20 years ago. Happy New Year and Cheers to health, happiness and unforgettable memory making.

Teresa Hammond is a staff reporter for The Oakdale Leader, The Riverbank News and The Escalon Times. She may be reached at thammond@oakdaleleader.com or by calling 847-3021.