`You will not get the best of me'
2020 taught me that we are unstoppable when we work together, says Kirk Muyres.
2020 has been a year like no other. As it wraps up, the Saskatoon Starphoenix and Regina Leader-post have invited community members to submit personal essays reflecting on the current crisis. Today: Kirk Muyres, a five-time Saskatchewan men's curling champion, Saskatchewan and Canadian junior men's champion, and a Canadian mixed doubles champion.
Dear 2020,
You came at me like no year ever has. You were not what we expected nor what anyone could ever have foreseen (except for maybe Wimbledon, which had significant pandemic insurance).
You started by giving me a provincial final loss, preventing me from representing Saskatchewan at the 2020 Brier (every curler's dream). That was a punch to the gut, as most curlers are aware that losing big games hurts, a lot. It didn't hurt like what you had in store for us next.
On March 16, you turned our lives upside down in Saskatchewan. We weren't supposed to go out, spend money, see friends, or see family? We were supposed to stay at home all day because the virus could infect and kill us? (Now, we realize your little friend isn't quite that stealthy).
Over the following weeks, you made me realize the compassion and love that we have for one another. Whether it was hanging hearts in our windows or banging pots to let our front-line and essential workers know that we're thankful for their work in the face of danger. Or whether it was our governments working together and putting politics aside to ensure we get through this pandemic in the best shape we can. Or whether it was sitting outside in the cold to visit loved ones who are experiencing severe isolation because we all know that when your invisible pal enters our care homes, it's devastating.
What happened, 2020? We came together like I have never seen in my life, but — as many enemies do — you and the virus worked to divide us. Lockdown versus open up, economy versus health, sports versus idleness, pro-maskers versus anti-maskers, right versus left, and we could go on and on. You were able to divide us so we would have a tough time working together to solve our generation's biggest challenge.
I won't let 2020 leave me before I learn a few things. You will not get the best of me.
What can we learn from you that will help us defeat our foe in 2021?
1. We will get through this. Like everything in life, this too shall pass.
2. You have taught me to not read the online comments. Ever!
3. The biggest thing you and your little friend have taught me is that when we work together, we are unstoppable. We have compassion. We help those in need and can be kind when it's needed the most. Our collective minds are remarkable. We were able to produce a vaccine to beat our
generation's biggest threat in less than a year.
Finally, 2020, I want to thank you for a few things:
1. Thank you for giving me the realization that spending more time and connecting with the family I love as much as I can is a priority. You took my grandma from us in 2020. She was an amazing woman who put her family first, she was so full of personality and love and she will be missed forever.
2. Thank you for reminding me how lucky I am to be able to travel the world, playing a sport I love — a love I took for granted before
the pandemic.
3. Thank you for reminding me how fun it is to “belly up at a bar” and be with friends and supporters of my pursuits.
4. Thank you for helping me get to know my partner better as we spend countless hours together.
You will be remembered 2020, but not missed.
Regards,
Kirk Muyres