2020 was not the year any of us expected. Given everything happening in the world around us, it is easy to lose sight of the good. But in honor of Thanksgiving, I wanted to reflect on a few things that I am most thankful for.

First and foremost, I am extremely grateful for the health and safety of my loved ones. Like many of you, COVID continues to hit too close to home. But for the most part, my family and friends have been able to stay safe. Of course this has meant delayed wedding dates, fewer trips home, and over-utilization of FaceTime, but I still consider myself lucky.

I am also grateful for BC Law and the amazing community. The Law School and its faculty, staff, and students have done such a great job keeping the semester moving forward. For in-person classes, students and professors all honor the COVID-related restrictions and the facilities staff ensures that hand sanitizer and wipes are always stocked (in addition to the extra cleanings). We also still have limited access to the library in case our at-home study areas are insufficient, but that wouldn’t be possible without the awesome library staff. Thank you also to the professors teaching on Zoom who are doing everything in their power to adapt to this new virtual classroom format by keeping classes engaging. Sadly, that still means cold calls.

I also want to give a shoutout to the student leaders around campus who are keeping our community tightly knit through a number of virtual events. For instance, the Law Student Association hosted virtual trivia, the 1L Negotiations and Client Counseling competitions continued to move forward, and student organizations are still actively engaging members through virtual panels and events.

And, although it might sound trivial, I am also grateful for the escape that the Bachelorette and other new shows have offered. With exam season right around the corner, I greatly appreciate all the cheesy romcoms, murder mysteries, and reality shows that somehow keep being produced.

Overall this year has been extremely challenging for all of us, but I do think there is some value in taking a step back and appreciating the things—both big and small—that have gotten us through it. So happy Thanksgiving, and I hope you all still manage to find your favorite Thanksgiving dish to enjoy.