1. My most Grateful Year ever- 2020

We’re all born with a story. My story is as big as my laughter. Full of life and as thunderous as it can be. Funnily enough, I won’t bore you with my life story. I’ll just share a page from my book of life as bait. A page named 2020.

When 2020 came around, it was like any other New Year. My dad came to visit from India in November of 2019 and I was over the moon. He is my heart. We’ve been attached to the hip since I met him at the tender age of 15. He chose to fill a seat at the table that another man chose to walk away from. So you now understand why he’s my heart. 

I knew his visit was only going to be for 4 months so I had to cram everything in those four short months. I had everything planned out like we humans always do. We took a trip to New Orleans as that was on his bucket list- to travel to the city that reminded him of his ancestors. A man of few words but sings the blues and plays the guitar like no other. Loves his Jazz and Blues and of course his musical idol- Fats Domino. We made great memories. Laughed, drank, and listened to lots of music. Late nights and early mornings, spicy and loud – New Orleans style! As a family, we have a bond that could be used as an advertisement for super glue. We rang in the New Year like most families do, with lots of aspirations and dreams for 2020. 

Early 2020 was filled with travels for me. Dubai, India, London, and then back to Miami, FL. As soon as I was back home, Covid came on strong and hard. Like a tsunami. Enveloping everything in its path with it. Horror stories of family members and friends passing away started to surface and of course, we had our own to share. My Mother’s sister died in June. We were all devastated. She was the brightest bulb in the Fernandes Family box. Full of life and full of fire. Her love for her family knew no boundaries. In a heartbeat, Covid stole her away from us. Those late-night calls, prayer meetings, zoom calls, etc. still bring chills to my bones. I was fortunate enough to have met up with her earlier in the year but I regretted not hugging her tighter, for who knew I would never see her again. She and I shared a love for Saris and I have to say, I learned how to be a hostess with the most-ess from her. She had a heart as big as Mumbai, that welcome everyone and their mothers and fed them till they were full to the brim. May she always Rest In Peace for we as a family miss her terribly. 

One country changed all our lives-worldwide. The word Covid became the most used word in people’s vocabulary. Wikipedia probably has pages of information on it. So many lost family and friends to this deadly virus. We lost Bettina’s mum too. Lives literally came to a standstill. Countries came to an even bigger standstill. Travel came to a halt. Worse yet, no one left their homes. We all learned to live within our means. Designer bags, shoes, and clothes gathered cobwebs. Hugging and kissing one another became a distant memory. Elbow shakes were the new norm. Most learned to work from home in pajamas. People were afraid to meet with family members so they wouldn’t be exposed to the virus. Zoom was the next best thing to sliced bread. Toilet rolls and sanitizers became a hot commodity overnight. Overnight, cooking at home became fashionable. Studying at home was a struggle for students. Jerusalema dance took the world by storm. And the list goes on… 

At the end of the day, I was the happiest. Now, why you would ask?? For one, Covid kept my Dad in Miami longer. You see, he couldn’t leave in April like he was supposed to. Flights were canceled and he had no choice but to stay on. God was kind to me yet again. I was over the moon. I got to spend a whole quality year with him and knowing he was healthy and well right in front of my eyes was my biggest blessing. We cooked, we sang (we became the famous father-daughter singing duo on FB), we danced and we came together tighter as a family. The last time I was able to spend a whole year with him like this, was 24 years ago. 

And then like they say, all good things must come to an end – and it did. My Pops had to leave us due to visa restrictions. I was devastated. I was broken. I was worried about his health. But I prayed. And continued to pray. He went back home safely and I went back to my living my life without my limbs. I had to start from scratch all over again. That’s when I decided to go back into the workforce. It was the only way I wouldn’t miss him badly. 

You see, I hadn’t worked in over 17 years. I gave up working when my firstborn came into this world and I never looked back. I was fortunate enough to take care of them and grow with them whilst my husband worked. I did have small home businesses here and there, including co-hosting a Podcast with Bettina but not a full-time job for sure. As much as I would have liked to have worked, it wasn’t feasible at the time. I struggled with staying at home whilst all my friends were working and climbing up the corporate ladder. Giving up my career for my kids was a bag of mixed emotions but I knew back then, it was the right thing to do. And I’m glad I stuck with it. 

Fast forward to today, as soon as my Dad left, I decided to throw my hat in the job hunt pile. My kids are now teenagers with lives of their own. I have spent many days, lonely. But naturally, they grow into adults themselves. There’s no freezing that timeline. I thought about it long and hard and decided to seek work to keep my simple mind busy. I sent my resume to friends and before I knew it, within a week I was talking to a headhunter (thanks to a close friend), and the next thing I knew, I was being interviewed by the CFO of an elite Real Estate Company here in Miami. One minute I was getting rid of clothes that were gathering dust in my closet and the next thing I know, I am shopping for workwear. I had to practice how to walk in high heels all over again and color my grays. Towards the end of 2020, I was a working woman! My computer bag in tow and wind under my feet, I was ready to conquer the corporate world all over again. I opened my first savings bank account in over 24 years. The feeling of dressing up and going to work- priceless. I am finally working at the age of 48. It’s never too late like they say. Never too late. My family and friends couldn’t be more proud of me. I hear that all the time and that helps keep my head above water. When everyone was losing jobs, I found work. What more could a girl ask for? Sheer luck or good karma. Whatever comes first.  A close friend told me I had to be financially fit by 50. Fingers crossed I will be that and more. Finally, my LinkedIn profile is looking more legit. 

So on that note, my 2020 was indeed a fabulous one. I was grateful when it began and I was grateful when it ended. And I take my gratefulness through this 2021- an ode to my kids, my constant blessings, my healthy life, and for the family and friends that I’m lucky to have in this lifetime. 

I am Ninorah and this is my 2020 story. For all of you who took the time to read my story, I pray that you are able to share yours too…Everyone’s story is worth listening to! 

With deep gratitude and a grateful heart, 

Me.

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