December 31, 2020
Dear Greeley reader, circa 2070,
I am honored to have an opportunity to share my thoughts with you, along with dozens of my fellow Greeley Creatives.
Several weeks ago, the Greeley Creative District invited us to offer reflections on this unusual year, 2020. The works would be sealed in a time capsule, not to be opened until 2070. Instructions for the “20:20 Retrospective and View to the Future” were to expand on the theme of what our corner of the world — Greeley, Colorado — looked like as the year closed on 2020. To a one, I would bet dollars to donuts that we were all relieved the year was cycling to a close. Unusual to say the least, that’s a trite description of a year experiencing a global pandemic caused by a novel coronavirus. In conjunction with political unrest the likes of which we haven’t seen in decades, we endured an election season that seemingly had no end. As I write this, I am still uncertain whether President-elect Joe Biden and Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris — the first woman to be elected to this high office, as well as the first Black-Indian woman to do so — will be inaugurated on January 20, 2021.
You, Greeley readers, will have to finish that part of the story.
For now, I encourage you to take time each day to discover the ladybugs. As a metaphor I’ve used for random occurrences that might be considered positive influences, these are the ladybugs I hope you can say are everyday facts in the year 2070:
🐞 Mental illness is not stigmatized, and there are medications to remedy it so individuals afflicted with this diverse disease can lead healthy, productive lives.
🐞 After the election of 2020, the United States confirmed that its 233 year old Constitution was capable of holding to its democratic processes, solidifying the tenets of representative democracy. In 2070, respect for and adherence to the Constitution is stronger than ever, restoring the United States government to its place as leader of the free world.
🐞 People in 2070 understand that science is important, and that it is essential to follow science and public health policy to assure a healthy, financially secure population — nowhere does this apply more in the midst of a pandemic.
🐞 Political discourse is to be expected and encouraged, without destroying the country itself.
🐞 The United States and its peoples respect everyone, regardless of race, creed, color, religion, or choice of life partner.
🐞 Our Earth and its environment is cherished, responsibly cared for, and maintained by all humankind so that future generations can enjoy its beauty and productivity.
🐞 Life is better when shared with dogs, fish, children, and family — possibly in that order.
🐞 Keep a sense of humor, and if at times you must make fun of yourself, that’s okay. Consider it a learning experience.
🐞 Speaking of which — never stop learning, from the moment you are born to when it is time to move on. Your life experiences will be all that much richer for it.
Happy Ladybug Hunting,
Emily Kemme
Author
If you’re interested, please read my contribution, The Year That Glittered: Reflections on 2020.
