It’s been a hot minute. I haven’t had the umph enough to write for the last… oh gracious, how long has it been?
Not because I don’t have anything to say. It’s just that it started to feel very repetitive. I mean…Covid kinda had a way of doing that to folks. Or was it that Quarantine had a way of doing that to folks?
Potato. Potahto.
It’s been a year since the CDC announced that Covid was a thing.
A year since the world stood still. A year of isolation in lockdown. A year of InstaCart and Zoom. A year without theatre and concerts.
A year without hugs and lunches and birthday parties and working out of a Starbucks for the afternoon.
A year of tremendous loss. A year of tremendous pain.
Geez. It’s been a year.
A year of such levels of anxiety that I didn’t fully realize I had. That is until…the vaccine.
The joy of having an appointment and having my parents and aunt get shot-up was palpable. Because of my health issues and being their caretaker gave me the opportunity to have the vaccine too.
The weight was unbearable, even if I didn’t really feel it as such until after the shot was given and we had the little card in our hand. I didn’t realize how much weight was on my shoulders to keep my elderly parents safe. How much anxiety I felt when I had to go out – what would I bring back with me?
I actually shed a tear after our second shot.
Yet, after a year there are still things you do that have become habit. Washing your hands and wearing a mask is always a good idea. So is social distancing – unless I know you really well, you can stay 6′ away.
But, no, I won’t be dining in a restaurant any time soon. It’s still too early for me to feel comfortable. Maybe a patio… not sure yet.
Charlie: “What day is it?”
Mom: “Tuesday”
Charlie: “Is there still Corona Virus?”
Mom: “Yes”
Charlie: “Ok”
Charlie, 4 years old
With the shot becoming more available, everyone is anxious to get “back to normal,” whatever that means.
Gosh, I do miss people. I miss my friends. I miss going to places. I miss theatre. I miss concerts.
But there are some things that came out of Covid necessity that I hope will stick around. I really like Target Drive-up… can we keep that? Or curb-side pick up at Schnucks. I’m a fan of that too.
Any curbside pick up for that matter! It may have been born of necessity, but dang it sure is convenient.
You can still make something beautiful and something powerful out of a really bad situation.
Gabe Grunwald
It’s been a year. I have seen unprecedented kindness and I have seen great sadness and grief within this year. The largest human loss in this one year. People struggling with their isolation. Losing their jobs. People getting Covid because they decided they couldn’t stay inside any longer. And while it has been a year, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
So, please. Hold on a while longer, because I really want to give you all a hug!
Wash your hands. Wash your spirit. Watch out for one another.
Curanderismo, The Healing Art of Mexico
Carmen is a single mom who acts, sings, drinks way too much coffee and writes stuff as she authentically navigates life. Sometimes it’s interesting, sometimes not so much. You can decide. But if something moves you, drop a line, share it far and wide, and let me know what you think! Be sure to check out her business website, Heart-Centered Marketing and Business Solutions.
