New years, like all fresh beginnings, usher in a sense of optimism. There couldn’t be a better time for a little hope as we make resolutions and dream of what the next 12 months could hold. We’ve flipped the calendar forward to 2021 (and maybe also flipped off what we left behind).
We may not want to dwell on what we went through in 2020, but there’s a lot to be proud of in how we got through it. The Kelso Communications holiday card summed a lot of that up as we showed the perfectly coiffed Zoom view right above all the real-life craziness happening just below.
Go behind-the-scenes with us as we show the full photos from our holiday card shoot and reflect a bit on 2020, including a cathartic look at what we’re happy to let go of and what we’ll bring with us into 2021.
Marcie Kelso – Partner/Director of Accounts and Strategy
What will you NOT miss about 2020?
I will not miss not being able to meet new people. While Zoom and other technology have been fabulous ways to keep in touch and even get back in touch with old friends, I miss all the people you meet while waiting in line, mingling and going about what we used to call our normal lives.
What positive thing did you learn in 2020 that you’ll take with you into the new year?
I learned that I really like my family. Marty and I already had a high tolerance for each other, hence also being able to be business partners, but I’ve treasured the time we spent with each other and our adult children. As our kids go into the world I want to make sure we continue to frequently spend time together. I also learned that the talented members of the Kcomm team kick ass under crazy circumstances and for that I am grateful.
Marty Kelso – Partner/Creative Director
What will you NOT miss about 2020? 
The apparently bottomless drop in the gut when contemplating all that has been lost. But we are also fortunate to have the example of countless generations who made their way through times of tragedy and adversity. Resilience can trump fragility. That’s just a dang fact. So, onward.
What positive thing did you learn in 2020 that you’ll take with you into the new year?
Focusing on what matters. Family. Friends. Work. Down time. Simple pleasures. I’ve been amazed by the spirit, resourcefulness and good humor of my coworkers, rallying around our clients’ changing needs. Marcie and I have loved having our kids at home, for extended intervals, without always needing to dash off to meet their friends. Although the coffee consumption has been off the chain. That unwelcome icon of the pandemic, Joe Exotic, put it best: “I am never gonna financially recover from this!”
Dee Grano – Vice President of Public Relations
What will you NOT miss about 2020?
VIRTUAL LEARNING! My family is full of dedicated educators, and never once in my life have I thought, “Teaching can’t be that hard.” Having to promote my own children’s learning has given me an even greater appreciation for our principals, teachers, teaching assistants, speech and occupational therapists. Educators are extraordinary and they have met every challenge of 2020 with creativity, grace and patience. I also won’t miss working at home in my dining room/virtual learning cave/playroom/cardboard box repository, and taking phone calls in my laundry room.
What positive thing did you learn in 2020 that you’ll take with you into the new year?
We are all helpers. During the challenges of this year, many of the people we have the pleasure of working with have sacrificed a great deal to step up. We work with nurses and doctors who raised their hands to work COVID-19 testing clinics. We’ve helped advocates trying to get the word out about stimulus checks, unemployment benefits and other life-saving supports for working families. We’ve told the story of the people behind the facemasks who work tirelessly to keep our community safe. And others who kept working, even during a furlough, to move forward. Our capacity to care and fight for others gives me hope for the future.
Karen Barrett – Brand Strategist
What will you NOT miss about 2020?
I will not miss the range of emotions felt this year: disappointment from canceled trips and missed opportunities for my kids, sadness over all the people lost this year and others sick from COVID, concern over making sure all of my family and friends remain healthy and safe, and the overall politicization of the pandemic. Ugh to all of it!
What positive thing did you learn in 2020 that you’ll take with you into the new year?
My number one takeaway from this year is learning how resilient and adaptable we can be. My kids have embraced virtual school and their teachers are working so hard. We have loved being together as a family and taken the time to appreciate the perks of being home 24/7. And Leo the basset hound has never been happier! While beach vacations were canceled over the summer, we made wonderful new memories, like outside movie nights and roasting s’mores. Attitude can be a mindset and it’s much more tolerable to be a “glass half full” kind of person (especially during a pandemic).
Amanda Fowler – Digital Strategist
What will you NOT miss about 2020?
I won’t miss reading a CDC study on the time COVID-19 stays active on surfaces just to help me decide on the best way to check the mail. Or having a system to separate clean and contaminated items in my purse. There’s a constant anxiety that has weighed on every choice and I will not miss giving up the space those things occupy in my brain.
What positive thing did you learn in 2020 that you’ll take with you into the new year?
I’ve learned that it doesn’t take elaborate planning, a vacation, or dinner and a concert to spend time with people I love. We’ve had just as much fun playing cards in the basement and learning to make ravioli. I bought one of those five-year journals where you write just a sentence or two and it’s been nice to end each day finding the little things that have been special or made me laugh.
Carrie Hunt – Art Director
What will you NOT miss about 2020?
The plethora of vocabulary words and phrases we’ve had to add to everyday life: SOCIAL DISTANCING, REMOTE LEARNING, QUARANTINE, CDC, WHO, WFH, WTF(!), SHUTDOWN, SH*T SHOW (that may just be me). There are many more, but I need to stop. I can feel my blood pressure rising.
What positive thing did you learn in 2020 that you’ll take with you into the new year?
I am in gracious awe of watching my little family come together through 2020. Not once have my boys complained about remote learning, missing sports and vacations, or simply doing things differently. We’ve had bigger belly laughs, warmer hugs and more conversations. We’ve slowed down the crazy schedules and had more dedicated time together. I will forever be grateful for time to stand still long enough for us to realize just how much we love each other. I hope we can all recognize the need for that as things slowly get back to normal.
Kristi Sweeny – Account Supervisor
What will you NOT miss about 2020?
I won’t miss the extreme planning that had to go into every.single.thing throughout 2020: which school plan to choose for the kids, making sure you had enough toilet paper well before you may run out, ALLLLLLL the meal planning, etc. I also won’t miss the lack of human connection. I’ve always been a people person so this year has been particularly hard. Technology is amazing but there’s nothing like sitting in a coffee shop enjoying a great conversation with a friend. I’ll never take that or seeing someone’s smile for granted ever again!
What positive thing did you learn in 2020 that you’ll take with you into the new year?
Believe it or not, there were lots of positives in 2020. For one, I’ve never been more grateful for my family and how we’ve come together during this crazy, bizarre time. Definite silver linings of this challenging year. I’ve also learned that it’s okay (and necessary) to slow down and just be. I’m a non-stop kind of woman but being forced off the crazy hamster wheel has been a very good thing.