By Lorie Ham
This past year has been difficult for everyone, and our hope is that 2021 will be much better. As we look toward the future, we all have things we have really missed doing and can’t wait to be able to do again. Our staff and board wanted to share with you some of the things they can’t wait to do again, and we hope you will share with us some of the things you miss most.
Mennonite Insurance staff member Michelle Heinrichs can’t wait to have a family gathering where it is okay to hug again. “We are a hugging family and have been really struggling to not even gather since March. Cannot wait!!”
“We’ve been giving air hugs, fist bumps, and some hip bumps (gently),” shares staff member Stephanie Heier. “I have missed hugging and being together without worry. But after all the emotional stuff, we’re going to Disneyland!!”
Being able to get together with family seems to be at the top of almost everyone’s list. “When things get back to ‘normal’ I would immediately make plans for our entire family– kids, grandkids, and great grandkids, from Reedley, Madera, Fresno, Spokane, N. Carolina–[to get] together,” shares Jim Enns, who is a board member from Reedley.
John Hochstetler is a board member from Salem, OR and he can’t wait to travel together with family. Normally on New Year’s several members of his family get together and take a trip to the coast. He looks forward to being able to reschedule that hopefully later this year. “Also, we enjoy going to eat out at our favorite restaurants.”
Dennis Langhofer, a board member in Spokane, also can’t wait to eat in restaurants, as well as go to church and sing in the choir again. And pastor and board member Alan Whaley in Phoenix is looking forward to being able to have a real communal meal at church again, where they can share both food and fellowship, “and even give and receive hugs. It’s been a long time. “
“Aside from being grateful for getting through such a pandemic, I would like to take a nice vacation,” shares staff member Yolanda Hernández.
Traveling is also on board member Larry E. Miller’s list as he hopes to travel and see more of the country when this is over. “This year has been the first full year of my retirement and we only managed one overnight trip to Sacramento in February. Time to head out as soon as we have the vaccine!”
Like all of us, staff member Dalia Jimenez will just be thankful when this is finally under control. What is it that you miss most? What will be the first thing you do once it is safe? I can imagine many of you are like us and miss family gatherings, eating out, and traveling. We would love for you to share some of the things you have missed with us on our Facebook page. Here’s wishing us all a much happier new year and the chance to finally be able to do all the things we’ve missed!
