The COVID pandemic altered everyone’s lives and careers, mine was no exception. In 2020, I was unemployed for nearly 6 months. Like many others, I lived off of unemployment checks and occasional gig work. When summer came and the pandemic still had no end in sight, I started looking for more reliable work. In August, I secured a job at the Atlanta Botanical Garden installing their annual holiday light show with a small team of 5 other people. 

As a Garden Lights Install Team Member, I helped transform the Atlanta Botanical Garden into one of the country's most-acclaimed holiday lights events. I help install and maintain Christmas lights throughout the garden. I spent months hanging out in trees, bushes, shrubs, and sculptures. I worked from tall ladders and in lift machines, working at heights up to 60ft. 

This job was full of long days but it was so rewarding to know that thousands of people saw this light show and it brought them joy, something we could all use a little more of in 2020.