One of the laziest columns most people write during the week leading up to a new year is to wish everyone a more prosperous and happy year ahead.

Lazy right? Unfortunately, it isn’t going to take a lot to improve on the year that was 2020. However, despite a year that has had many lows, I would like to look at some of the positives and where we can go from here.

2020 of course had us battle the pandemic, but the promises of a vaccine should bolster our hopes for 2021 to return to normalcy and should also be a no-brainer for anyone.

As someone who has resisted the flu shot each and every year you can bet, I will have the vaccine as soon as it becomes available for my peace of mind as well as for my family. The mere thought people would resist the vaccine after this past year is almost unthinkable to me. So, let’s look on the bright side that we have the vaccine coming our way and it will give us an opportunity to take that big step to moving back to a normal routine in our day to day lives.

Also, after the Georgia runoffs next week we won’t be dealing with the constant barrage of political ads on television, radio and just about everywhere else. I don’t know about anyone else, but I certainly think that makes 2021 a heck of a lot better right off the bat. Of course, there’s that nasty little thing our politicians have to do in 2021, and that’s fulfilling their millions of promises. I think that’s probably one of the bigger question marks for the coming year. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

I also believe that over the last nine months we have learned how to do things more efficiently and that should bode well for 2021 as we find better ways to conduct business. Those new ways should also give people opportunities they may not have had in the past so the outlook could be brighter in the coming year.

On a selfish note, I look forward to seeing our sports conducted during the time they generally would be playing. It was great getting the Masters this year, but for me, playing the tournament in November was fine, but it didn’t have the allure that the April playing always has. Also this year’s winner Dustin Johnson isn’t my favorite player in the world so he will only get to hold the title for a few months unless he repeats.

I also look forward to other sports playing at their normal time of year and possibly have fans return to the stadiums, arenas and courses. Sports, I believe, are very important at all levels and certainly locally. Here’s to all our schools enjoying full seasons in the coming year and having success on and off the field.

2021 should be filled with more laughter and celebration as we move forward with our lives and gather with our family and friends. I think the past year should have taught us to savor every moment we have with those who are closest to us and this coming year should be special in that respect after we missed those types of gatherings during the past year.

For me 2021 will have its special challenges, but feel we can fight those challenges both at work and at home. I look forward to more time with my family and with my work family here at the Coastal Courier and the Bryan County News.

If you see me, say, “Hey!”

Dee McLelland is Publisher of the Coastal Courier and the Bryan County News.