Whether you were one of the fortunate ones who managed to make the best of the year that was 2020, or perhaps are eagerly crossing days off the calendar until the end of what will certainly be a year for the history books – I don’t think anyone will be too sorry to see this year come to a close.
Our Sentinel family has gone from rushing down red carpets, crossing paths with A-listers and high level executives. To high end bars, restaurants, hotels and residences. We’ve been to events, private functions, galas, receptions and weddings.
Then, in the blink of an eye – along with the rest of the world, our livelihood was rocked like never before. Its like the rug was pulled out beneath us and we were all left to struggle, barely able to catch our breath between news updates and advice from the medical community.
While much of the world hunkered in place – becoming overly familiar with their own four walls and roof, we scrambled to find footing and fought our way through what was once unchartered waters for us.
We navigated the early pandemic on the front lines of grocery stores, banks, and hardware stores. Our new standard screening protocols of covid questions and temperature checks replaced what were once guest lists and glossy event details.
As things seemingly started to temporarily settle, rules became quieter and our presence was slowly shifting back to a new version of the old normal.
We relished the moments we could be if only briefly, once again back in some familiar places and seeing familiar faces that were oh so very missed.
The last half of the year may have looked a bit brighter, but change was in the wind once again.
Luckily, the months of hard work and dedication of our men and women on the front lines, and especially the drive and motivation of our management and owners, we took a new path – directly down to the belly of what is the current beast.
We entered the healthcare industry after months of intensely hard work, and training and preparation.
Facing the fears of many head on and making the healthcare industry, and a hospital, our new familiar territory.
As a new city wide lockdown came into effect – and now a province wide lockdown. As uncertain as these times may be, we know that we are exactly where we need to be.
As much as we look forward to ushering in a new year, we also know that with all of the bad, there has been some good as well. We can’t let the overwhelming negativity that has driven this year, outweigh any of the positive that has come out of it.
We are grateful for the experiences and lessons we’ve learned along the way to get us to where we are now.
Thankful for the friends who stuck by us, and the new friendships we’ve gained.
We’re excited for the future. To see what 2021 has in store for us, and for the world around us.
With a vaccine now on the horizon, hope has been ignited.
While we continue down this new path we’ve started, we hope that with this new future, we can see glimpses of our past reignited along with this incoming hope.
While 2020 is a year we’re definitely ready to let go of, we also can’t help but acknowledge not just the lives but the livelihoods that were lost along the way.
Its a war most of us aren’t used to waging, and the loss of some of our favourite industries and businesses have not gone without notice and heartbreak.
This is most likely not the time of resolutions or goals for a new year, it is still a time to reflect, be thankful, and even maybe forget a little.
Lets get through this lockdown and whatever else gets thrown our way until the light at the end of this tunnel shines bright.
Lets embrace 2021 for what it could be and what it hopefully will be.
Do what we can to stick together and stay at home and keep that distance between us for just this little bit longer.
2021 is a new year, and is already bringing promises of brighter days ahead.
Guest Blogger Rayna Davies
Rayna Davies is a graduate and practitioner of Business Management. She has developed an expertise in blogging, covering subjects like travel, world events and security. Having grown up with a father who has developed an expertise in Physical Security and Executive Protection in the RCMP and two major corporations, she has personally observed and experienced many security details. These experiences have included personally meeting HM Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister Jean Chretien and many celebrities. She presently assists Sentinel Security in Executive Protection workshops and guest blogging and also assists Gloprosec Preventative Services in Intelligence gathering and Business Administration. Her passions include World travel, having visited every continent.