March 8, 2020 is when Iowa health officials confirmed the first coronavirus cases in the state.

For many of us, the year that followed was unfathomable.

• We’ve lost family and friends to the disease, been shut inside with limited contact with those we love and have been forced to adopt seismic changes to even routine and basic tasks like grocery shopping and dining.

There are bright spots.

• We’re all aware of individual and inspiring acts of compassion. And we’ve sometimes found pieces of our lives improved — our commutes are shorter while our appreciation and use of our fine park systems is up.

Our thought bubble: We criticize 2020 as being awful. In many ways, it was. But it shouldn’t be forgotten. Let’s reflect: