The first time I heard of this term it made me think about the ugly baby duck that turns into this beautiful swan. We have all heard this story many times. And the end is as beautiful as the swan is supposed to be.

Well, a black swan does not always have a happy ending. A black swan refers to situations that are completely out of the ordinary. And this 2020 that is almost over is a prime example of that.

The pandemic has hurt so many people. A city official said at the very start that we were all going to pay for this, one way or another. When she said that my thinking was that it was an exaggeration to grab the attention of all citizens. She was right on the spot. We all have paid for this, one way or another. Some have paid the ultimate price unfortunately. Families are devastated by loss of loved ones, loss of jobs… not to talk about the loss of the sense of safety and the loss of sense of community due to isolation.

Of course, like in any situation, there have been positive items: cherishing our health and loved ones, helping others, appreciating our jobs, getting better at managing our money. And becoming more spiritual.

For us it has been a year of flexibility in figuring out different ways to help our clients weathering the crisis that they have faced. We have successfully allowed families to move forward either with cash in their pockets and/or with time to stay in their homes. Our goal has been to be a source of comfort for them and to give back to the community in the best of our abilities. We are grateful for these opportunities. Our good faith has made us a prime resource for these families and the ones that they have referred us to.