There’s no debate that 2020 was a dumpster fire. For any dad out there (or any human being for that matter), here’s a list of things to look forward to in 2021.
Here are some things to look forward to next year, in no particular order, which is on par with life today given how little ‘order’ there is.
10: A Whiff of Jet Fuel – You know the smell… it engulfs you the minute you step out of the car at the airport. It’s the scent of going somewhere new, experiencing something fresh and unexpected. It’s not a bad time to start planning that next trip. Be sober-minded and make sure your tickets are refundable, but today, you can find deals. Roundtrip flights to New York to Rome, for example, are less than $600 during the peak travel season in August of next year.
9: The Baby Boom of 2022 – How many weddings were tabled in 2020? How many single people have experienced this pandemic alone, and now possess a whole new perspective on relationships, love, and having someone by your side when the sh*t hits the fan? The figure is not in the millions, it’s tens of millions of people. We will witness a baby boom on par with what the world witnesses after World War Two, because let’s face it, we’ve been at war on some level since March. This will help our country economically, psychologically, and it will usher in a new appreciation for life itself.
8: Your Favorite Team – Will be competing on the court or field, and for dads who can’t wait to introduce their kids to their favorite team, you’ll have the chance to do so. Go overboard and get a league-certified jersey for your little tike.
7: The NCAA Basketball Tournament – The greatest tournament in the world returns to the stage in March. We may not be able to gather en masse at the time, nor will we hear the thunderous roar of the crowd, but the games will be played… thank… freaking… God.
6: A Reality Check for Planet Earth – Put politics aside for a moment and think about all the Hurricanes we experienced this year. The number of named storms went beyond the English language, and for only the second time in recorded history, Greek letters were used. There’s a mind f*ck for everyone on planet earth to think about. The time for level-headed leadership and common sense has come and we will have to adapt in order to provide a better world for our children.
5: Movie Theatre Popcorn – The aroma will hit a nerve the moment you enter the theatre, and it will bring a smile to your face. The big screen will return to action in 2021 and it can’t come soon enough. Now, more than ever, we need a new flick by Chris Nolan, because Netflix on your home screen is so 2020.
4: The First Warm day of Summer – Millions of people will be vaccinated before the sun drenches us with its glowing warmth. You will step outside and it will feel like a new world and it will fill your heart with optimism. The Summer season will usher in the scent of freshly cut grass, flowers, and mulch. It will feel like we can breathe again and it’s only two seasons away from experiencing it.
3: A Barbeque Without Masks – To see your friends and family smile again and smell the grill, without fear… without concern: That will be a glorious day. This foretells the next top-ten life event. We have yet to understand how lucky we are to have a vaccine. Read on.
2: An Appreciation for Science – In less than a year, we had not one but two vaccines to combat the Coronavirus. We will likely have a third before the arrival of Summer. Big pharma and the scientists prevailed, and when one considers what humanity experienced during the Spanish Flu or further back during the bubonic plague, we have a lot to be grateful for. Which is befitting of the final point.
1: A Thanksgiving with Your Parents and/or Grandparents – We have lost so many, yet so many more will survive due to our collective efforts to prevent the spread of infection. I pray that you and your loved ones have the opportunity to gather around the dinner table next Thanksgiving. This particular holiday may represent the most important meal we have ever shared with one another during our lifetimes. We will truly have something to be thankful for – which, as mentioned before, is life itself.
And on that note, don’t be surprised if your younger sibling has a special announcement to share during Thanksgiving. It may involve plans to decorate a nursery in his or her home.
The Rookie Father 
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