Author: Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY

2021 won’t magically fix all our problems. But it will give us a little more hope for the future.

Christmas was hard, different and sad this year. But we’re tough, and we can keep going.

My Christmas and yours will look different this year. I know it will be hard. I know we can do it to keep everyone safe.

The first snow of the season fell on the Northeast this week and some schools had snow days even if their learning was virtual. Everyone needed it.

The COVID-19 vaccine is starting its early rollout across the country. It’s a wonderful day full of complicated emotions.

Hanukkah is the first major holiday of the month that will look different because of the pandemic. I asked my friend how his virtual celebration went.

My socially distant Christmas begins with trying not to accidentally open my gifts when they arrive at my door.

Like so much else in 2020, our Christmas tree is a pandemic compromise. But I can wait for a better Christmas next year.

Somehow it’s December already. Our problems won’t go away when the calendar flips from 2020 to 2021, but it’ll sure feel good.