Looking back at 2020.
It was a normal beginning for a new year. I facilitated one training in January, another in February, attended a great conference in Washington, D.C. in March. My email was filled with request for quotes and questions about scheduling. My calendar was peppered with trainings and keynote appearances -on par with all recent years, which had found me presenting between 35 and 50 times annually. Then came the second half of March, and within the span of a week ALL those engagements were erased – either cancelled or postponed. One school held their opening meeting in August at a safe off-site location. September, October and November each brought one food safety training. Yep, that is a grand total of 6 jobs.
Yet, I remained busy. I volunteered to help friends and colleagues with webinars. I did 3 or 4 of those. I got a lot of calls and emails about regulations and changes and staying safe during Covid19. (It was rewarding to know so many people trusted me for advice.) I spent way too much time online trying to nudge people towards safety. I think it was a year where I made both friends and enemies as I tried to be of value and help others in the field. I stepped up to assist Kevin on the Facebook page “School Nutrition Professionals” and became the administrator.
Sometimes I wonder if I am retired since I have no work. Then I see that I have about a dozen folders for work to be rescheduled and I know I will be back on the road when people have meetings again.
I like the saying “Look back with pride and forward with hope”. I think that is where I am right now. It is a good place to be.
I look forward to seeing all of you soon! JoAnne