Arianne Brown: 2021 will be the year of tomorrows

Arianne Brown's oldest son Anderson walks on a path in Snow Canyon State Park. "2021 will be the year of tomorrows," Brown says.

(Arianne Brown, KSL.com Contributor)


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SALT LAKE CITY — It seems like only yesterday when the world was put on pause — when everything came to an abrupt halt with little warning.

When the virus came.

In one way, it was just yesterday because most of the days following that fateful day in March have been the same as today, yesterday and the day before that … and the day before that. The year 2020, for me at least, will be remembered as the year when time stood still.

In a way, it's what all my mothering dreams were made of: when that soccer tournament I hoped would be canceled because we couldn't afford it was canceled, when fewer in-person school days meant more time with my kids, and when my husband was able to work from home.

It meant closing a door to negative influences and harmful viruses. In a way, 2020 has kept my family home in safe and loving care, away from the scary world, and my selfish self has reveled in the delight of my protective bubble with my family under it.

Time standing still has also had its drawbacks and has been filled with its share of nightmarish things.

Being forced to teach my kids things that I had for many years relegated to the public school system and ecclesiastical leaders has caused me many sleepless nights. Watching my kids struggle to make friends and even hold on to existing friendships without consistent social interaction has been more than my heart can bear. Watching the athletic, social and academic aspirations of my older children, in some cases, plummet to irretrievable depths has made for many devastating moments.

Trying to keep a balance of fear about COVID-19 and all its uncertainties and faith that we will get through this instilled in my children has often left me feeling uneasy. Fear or faith? Both? Neither? What's the answer? I don't know, but I'm somehow supposed to know because I'm the mom.

But 2020 is now over and a new leaf has turned.


The thing about yesterdays is that they are not and never will be tomorrows. With each new tomorrow comes the chance for something new.

No, nothing has changed. Today is still much the same as the yesterdays of this past year have been, and tomorrow will likely be much the same as today. But the thing about yesterdays is that they are not and never will be tomorrows. With each new tomorrow comes the chance for something new.

With the start of a new year, I am determined that 2021 will not be the year of yesterdays, nor will it be the year when time stood still. Been there, done that.

I am determined to make the year 2021 become the year of tomorrows.

With each passing day, I will do my best to hold on to faith that with each new tomorrow my children will have the chance to learn, grow and to forge new friendships. Wishful thinking perhaps, but faith in tomorrow sounds a whole lot better than running from yesterday.

With 2020 behind us, what are your hopes for your family in the new year? Let us know in the comments.

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Arianne Brown

About the Author: Arianne Brown

Arianne Brown is a mother of nine awesome children and former collegiate runner who is blending those two worlds one written word at a time. To connect with her, follow her on Instagram @ariannebrown.

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