2020 has been a year like no other. In this special series we publish a collection of YOUR stories from the past year.

Kymberli Frueh – Trafalgar Releasing
This year in America has been an extremely difficult one, not only because of the virus but also due to the uncertainty and turmoil around the election. I live each day looking for things to be grateful for instead of dwelling on the challenges. It can be a simple eye smile behind a mask, beloved time in nature with my puppies, downsizing my possessions and donating them to those in need (which makes me feel better in multiple ways), or simply kind gestures toward others less fortunate.

Recently I adopted a homeless man who lives in a public park near me. Someone had posted about his friend needing help and the night I went to take David dinner, I met Clyde. He was huddled in a doorway and answered when I called out for David (who wasn’t there). Clyde has Stage 4 cancer, no tongue and is displaced to one of our beautiful parks instead of getting the care he needs. Our health system here is difficult to navigate especially for the homeless. Due to his cancer he can only eat soft food so making sure he has nutrition and warmth is a key priority for me.

We (our neighborhood) are working to get him into hospice but right now, the only support Clyde has is us. Temperatures here can drop to below freezing at night—which is when I visit Clyde with a warm meal. My community has donated blankets, pillows, shoes and a sleeping bag but it is the personal connection Clyde needs most.  We continue to take shifts to support him and pray he can live out his final days in the caring arms of hospice. I hope I have made Clyde’s burden a bit easier. He has certainly helped with mine. It is in looking out for others that we often find ourselves and our blessings.

Bridget Key – Stagecoach
2020 has been all about walking for me. Normally I spend my working life either sat at a desk or behind the wheel of a car. 2020 gave me the opportunity to get out walking each day at lunchtime. In April at the beginning of lockdown I walked for 65 miles and I went out in the car for 30 miles. What a change to what I normally do! I have worked it out that by the end of the year I will have walked almost 1000 miles. Do I feel better? You bet your life I do and it hasn’t cost me a thing.

Dave Bradbury – PR and Comms
As we look back on a year we’d all rather forget I’m going to put on my positive pants and reflect on the good times. For me 2020 was long bike rides in the spring sunshine, camping in the garden, barbecues, bonus family time with the kids, long dog walks, garden renovations and drinks in our new hot tub. I’ve also been busy recording my weekly entertainment slot for BBC Radio Stoke and I raised over £1,500 for the NHS by doing a 12 hour DJ set on Facebook. We were also fortunate and grateful to have two summer holidays in Newquay, Cornwall. Pasties and body boarding on Fistral Beach was a real treat and something I never thought we’d be doing in 2020. Finally, since the summer we’ve been blessed to have daily visits from a fox that my son has named Jackie! Jackie has been visiting us ever since and the whole street has adopted her.