Page 10 - December 2020 Voices

COVER STORY

normal? No. No we cannot pretend 2020 never easily. We welcomed our second great-grandson
happened. Instead, maybe what we should be into this crazy world in 2020. When he is an
pondering is how our lives have been irrevocably old man, he will look back at his life and say

changed at the turn of this decade. “yes, I was born in the middle of a pandemic
Some of us have learned to live with less. My in a country reeling under the weight of racial
hope for those who lost jobs or had hours reduced unrest just before one of the craziest presidential
is that you will have the resources you need in elections ever.”.May I offer my answer to the
2021. My hope for those who crave in-person final question: What do you hope for? Friends,

contact can remain patient a bit longer until the I hope that as you ponder these questions your
danger of the coronavirus subsides, especially sadness is decreasing and that you continue to
with the roll out of vaccines. My hope for those learn what gives you joy and hope.

who are grieving is that you find peace in 2021.
I truly believe that 2020 has many positive Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
and valuable lessons for us all. Keep asking these
questions of the year 2020: What made you sad? Pastor Dorothy Cottingham joined Toastmasters
It is perfectly normal to be sad when thinking in 1980. She is a current member of Cedar Hills

about loss and grief. Make sure you are moving Toastmasters where she serves as Club Secretary.
ahead by asking: What did you learn from She served on the Board of Directors 2000-2002.
2020? If all that you learned was how to navigate Beyond Toastmasters, Dorothy became an ordained

sadness, you’ve done well. Maybe you learned Lutheran minister in 2016. She is currently serving
how to navigate technology as well. Bravo! Ask, the congregation of Christ the King Lutheran Church
then: What gave you joy? in Tigard, Oregon. Dorothy lives in Tigard with her
It may be difficult to find the joyful moments. husband, Carl, also a Past International Director
But I am sure that if you look, they will pop out (1986-88) and their two crazy cats.

“It is really wonderful how much resilience there is

in human nature. Let any obstructing

cause, no matter what, be removed in 2020-2021 District Leadership Nominations Now Open

any way, even by death, and we fly

back to first principles of hope and

enjoyment.”-Bram Stoker

10 ONE COMMUNITY