The first book I read in 2020 was The Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath. It’s about the magical experiences in our lives that stay in our memory banks for a very long time. The authors use the term “bright spots” to describe these moments. A bright spot is simply a good thing that occurs during a bad or difficult time.
Obviously, this book could not have fallen into my hands at a better time. The optimist in me began noticing and pointing out bright spots here and there throughout the year. This drove my pod mates crazy at times, but I was determined to salvage something from this dumpster fire of a year. I noticed that the most mundane things started to shine amid the chaos. Exploring local parks, experimenting with new recipes, and family movie night suddenly became special events.
I marveled at these bright spots in my own life and wondered what little treasures appeared in others’ lives. I asked our team here at K2D to share their bright spots from 2020 to end the year on a high note and help position us all for an extraordinary year ahead!
Our bright spots ranged from work-related to new hobbies to relationships and, of course, Netflix! Hope you enjoy some of the fun insight into our K2D family.
On the work front…
Karin
Donors showed up in force. They supported nonprofits who were on the front lines taking care of people – food banks, emergency funds… but they also showed up for organizations providing access to outdoor spaces, reproductive rights, for Black lives and other marginalized groups, for political candidates, for kids fighting cancer and for animals in shelters. It was pretty amazing.
Val
Holy Donor Advised Funds, Batman! This was my favorite fundraising vehicle before COVID-19 so when DAF gifts EXPLODED in 2020, I could barely contain myself. And while the money that moved through these funds was record-breaking, what was even more exciting for me was the fact that it’s a NEW crop of donors to steward and cultivate so our clients can do even more amazing work!
Lori
2020 brought significant challenges that could only be tackled through teamwork, and we’ve all stepped up to the plate. Since we were really all in it together, the cooperation, engagement, and collaboration with clients, colleagues and other folks across the industry is my favorite happy by-product of 2020.
K2D added 2 team members in 2020. Here’s what they have to say about that.
Rose
Found my way to K2D (and absolutely love it)!!
Megan
NEW JOB!!! The best job with the best people. I have found my place in the world and it’s great. Also, I moved apartments at the beginning of Covid into my very first one bedroom. My entire 11 years down in Richmond I have lived with roommates and I don’t know why I never moved in with myself sooner.
New hobbies and habits
Karin
I FINALLY started kayaking! After years of owning one … I figured out that it is a nice, socially distant way to spend time outside with my husband or a friend and get some exercise. Discovering new places to paddle along the Potomac and helped fill some of my need for adventure, too!
Angela
I started painting again. It was an old college hobby of sorts. But it was nice to be able to slow down enough to bring some of this stillness back. Incidentally, Arya has picked it up, too.
Val
I discovered the NY Times cooking app and it’s been a great resource – especially since dinner turned into the highlight of most of our days. We have some new vegetarians and the entire house had to go entirely gluten-free this year. Finding some “keeper” recipes that satisfy everyone in our pod was a major win.
Megan
A favorite new hobby is keeping all my plants alive. Out of my collection, only one has almost died on me. Also made a lot of banana bread. But I have honestly found that I have one heck of a green thumb. My favorite plant right now is my monstera. She’s beautiful.
Jenn D
I perfected the Blackberry Bourbon Smash. (Hmmm, if this is Jenn’s new hobby, we might want to alert HR….)
Lori
I’ve read more this year than I have in quite a while thanks to a “book club” with long-time friends in LA and Philly.
Angela
We had a really great crop of pears on our pear tree this year. They are currently fermenting in bottles to make what will hopefully turn out to be a nice batch of cider. It’s becoming a family tradition.
Remember Travel?!
Jenn D.
I bought a new car at the beginning of the year and put less than 4k miles on it.
Lori
Hands down, the #1 bright spot of 2020 is the lack of traffic in the DC metro area!
Rose
I went to Nashville in March for spring break (literally a week before everything shut down), it was such a fun city and I can’t wait to go back one day!
Megan
Staycation. Didn’t beach at all this year because that’s where everyone came back with COVID. I did, however, frequent the pool at my apartment building and got a great tan. It also meant that I spent time with my best friend because she always came over to the pool.
Val
We managed to take our annual camping trip to Assateague. It’s easy to be socially distant at the beach!
Kris
With virtual school & work life, the whole family got to spend 10+ weeks at our second home by the beach.
Lori
Instead of spending the weekend at the beach for the 4th of July, all virtual work meant I could stay the week and enjoy the ocean and sun as much as possible!
Angela
Having instant access to nature here in Charlottesville.
Lori
There are woods behind my building that has a trail for dog walking, and I have been taking my dog for walks there for the 5 years I’ve had her. But, this spring, I saw the nature that makes up the woods more than I ever had before. I really noticed when things started to bloom and could see the day-to-day difference.
Friends and Family aka “your pod”
Kris
With a standing weekly zoom happy hour, I got to see some friends much MORE than I would have in person.
Jenn D
Getting a sneak peek into my daughter’s school day through virtual learning has confirmed that she is respectful of the teacher and fellow students and conscientious about all her work – we are so proud of her!
Karin
My kids are resilient. Early in the pandemic when schools shut down, it was sort of fun and novel. And then it was awful. Like sobbing, yelling, depression-kind of awful. And then we had to figure it out. Channel patience. And they are doing ok. At least this week!
Lori
Dear friends who have been together for many years and have been talking about getting married for about the last two years finally decided to do it this December. Their marriage signifies an affirmation of love and support and for that, I cannot help but feel hopeful and joyous.
Megan
I miss Family gatherings. Full family gatherings. Pre COVID-19 I was always dreading them like oh my gosh it’s going to be so loud and exhausting and since I’m an adult I have to actually help out. But I would give anything to have a full Thanksgiving with everyone or Christmas with literally anyone.
Rose
Reconnected with extended family when we started having family Zoom calls for my elderly grandmother.
Angela
Being able to connect with my mom and sister in person, if even on a rare occasion, and having Arya spend time with her cousins on a few rare occasions as well – including in the Outer Banks, what has become another long-standing family tradition for us with my in-laws.
Val
I’m in shock and awe of how my 16-year-old has mastered virtual learning and time management. And, had a great attitude during her limited (and masked) cross-country season.
Lori
Weekly zoom happy hours with friends meant I got to see them more and brought our group closer together.
Thank you, NETFLIX!
Our team completely fell for the phenomenon that was Tiger King and spent many a staff meeting analyzing the greatest mystery to come along in a while. Here are some other fan favorites at K2D:
Val
I can’t recommend Ted Lasso (Apple TV) strongly enough. It’s a funny, feel-good way to put a cap on a rough year.
Megan
My favorite Netflix binge has to be either Queen’s Gambit, Selling Sunset, You, or Virgin River. I live alone all I do is watch Netflix and movies besides work. Top probably is Queens Gambit. Kris Netflix delivered! The Queen’s Gambit, The Great British Baking Show, Self Made, Bridgerton, BlackAF, Teenage Bounty Hunters.
Lori
I am beyond thankful for The Great British Baking Show! I also watched All-American based on a recommendation from my 11-year-old niece in New Jersey – it was so fun to have the show to chat with her about (since I can’t seem to get into all of the YouTube influencers she’s following).
As I write this, the Georgia runoffs are flipping the Senate and history-making new leadership in the White House is just weeks away. Our best to all of you for making the best of 2020. Brighter days are here!
