As We Say Goodbye to 2020…
As we say goodbye to 2020 and hello to 2021…
I take a look back at all 2020 incorporated, which in some ways feels like multiple years rolled into one. The obvious challenges and heartbreak for so many with the pandemic, the struggles of losing family, jobs, homes, not seeing loved ones and friends. It was an abrupt disruption to most people’s lives. Wildfires burned tens of millions of acres, more than doubling last year. The vivid reminders of all the racial injustices and suffering our systems are still creating. Yet, partnered with unity, collaboration, and compassion for real substantial crucial change.
A year that brought on so much uncertainty, sadness, loneliness, loss, challenges, division, anxiety, fear, frustration, anger and frankly at times disgust, was also a year that held vigor, stillness, drive, remembrance, appreciation, compassion, learning, gratefulness, realization, integrity, love, vulnerability, and hope.
Personally, Eric and I both lost family and I was out of a job, but overall we are so grateful for our own health, the health of our families, the health of our animal residents, the time we got to spend together, the time we were able to focus on Ridge 2 River and all the projects staying home allowed us to accomplish!
Ridge 2 River this last year, and our first year, has come so far ~ Thanks to all of you. We designed our logo, our website and a few bits of merchandise. We started our volunteer program and we raised $19,183 dollars that all went directly to the care of the animals. We made 37 trips to the vet.
After much troubleshooting and time, we are more than pleased to report Virginia is healthy. Sukah was such a good boy through his many vet appts., leg surgery, and 4 months of healing. He is now living a life of freedom to run through the brush, up and down the mountains, through the snow, sleeping inside by the fire and on his warm cozy bed at night next to ours. Morgan is doing better than ever coping with his oversized heart and Chino seems more content in his new barn.
We lost our beloved Pacey girl on April 1, but were blessed with being able to bring home Virginia, Sukah and we have a brand new little kitty as well, Buddha. (who we will introduce very soon, I promise)
Eric built a beautiful new barn – ½ for the goats and the other ½ for the humans. We now have a dedicated room to store all the animals supplies, and a home for two of the kitties. We added a large fenced hillside for the pigs to have a much bigger area to roam, root and forage. We built a proper home and yard for Virginia during her quarantine time. We sold our old van and got a new van with 4-wheel drive, so we are able to have a safe, temperature controlled vehicle to transport the animals to their vet appointments year round.
Ridge 2 River’s mission is to Inspire humans to make compassionate and sustainable choices for the health of the planet and all living beings. We all share the same ground, drink the same water, breath the same air and sleep under the same starry sky. Whether we like it or not, everything in this world is connected. Where we choose to live, what we choose to eat, products we choose to buy, not only have an impact on us, but also on the world around us. As we look forward to a new year, let us all choose love, compassion, humility and hope. May we all be the reason that this year is humanity’s best year.
~ Namaste