Turning the Page on 2020

By Diego Garcia III | Editor of The Brownsville Beacon

It's turned cold outside. The wind is quietly howling, making the tree in my front yard sway. The hum of a passing vehicle is the only sound that breaks the silence. I'm sitting in my living room in the dark. The atmosphere is appropriate for this last post of 2020.

This year has been challenging and trying, to say the very least. From the large scale probelems of a global pandemic, to losing friends and family, to still dealing with heartbreak and depression, to some pretty serious health issues, this is absolutely a year I'd like to forget.

That said, I'm not so naive to think the problems will all go away because the calendar starts all over again tonight at midnight. The pandemic won't go away, my heart is still broken, and I'm still fighting my issues with my health.

I have always been an open book. I've never been scared to tell people how I really feel - I'm just built that way.

The reason I bring that up is because there is one more important thing I feel that I'd like to share with you. Among all the negativity and gloom, I feel grateful and appreciative for many things. These trying times have shown me who my real friends are, and I am extremely fortunate to have my mother who has helped tremendously with everything. She's been an outstanding mother since I was born. 

And I have also been fortunate to have people read my blog, The Brownsville Beacon, and listened to the audio podcast of the same name. Although some malcontents will throw rocks at me and say my blog is failing, some people will never understand the true nature of writing from the soul is not meant for the audience, it's meant as a therapeutic release for the author. I've always said if you don't like it, don't read it. I'm not arrogant enough to need accolades or a huge following. I don't need an audience of thousands. I do what I do for me, not for others.

But more importantly, I'm glad to have rebooted the Yesteryear's Brownsville page. This page is an apolitical place where people can come and see pictures of my Beloved Brownsville and reminisce about their favorite movie theater, or restaurant, or try to connect with old classmates. To the readers and contributors on Yesteryear's Brownsville, I thank you for stopping by and sharing your photos and stories. I love reading the stories and the comments the best. Once again, from the bottom of my heart, I'm humbled you chose to join and thank you.

For as long as I have left, I'll be here writing my silliness and posting about Brownsville's history. I've learned we can only take things one day at a time. That's all we can really do.

If you've made it this far into the article, let me be the first to wish you all a Happy New Year and may things go better for us all in 2021. Like I said, I know the bad things won't stay behind in 2020, but we can only hope things will get better.

One day at a time, anyway.

Stay safe, everyone! God bless!