Pick Up Sticks

What Will We Learn

A friend posted this article on Facebook the other day. It is so true and really makes you think about what is really important and what we will take away from this crisis. One paragraph in particular hit me hard.

Prepare for the Ultimate Gaslighting

“From one citizen to another, I beg of you: Take a deep breath, ignore the deafening noise, and think deeply about what you want to put back into your life. This is our chance to define a new version of normal, a rare and truly sacred (yes, sacred) opportunity to get rid of the bullshit and to only bring back what works for us, what makes our lives richer, what makes our kids happier, what makes us truly proud. We get to Marie Kondo the shit out of it all. We care deeply about one another. That is clear. That can be seen in every supportive Facebook post, in every meal dropped off for a neighbor, in every Zoom birthday party. We are a good people. And as a good people, we want to define — on our own terms — what this country looks like in five, 10, 50 years. This is our chance to do that, the biggest one we have ever gotten. And the best one we’ll ever get.”

Really good article - so thought provoking. What will you put back into your life after this crisis? I’ve thought a lot about this these past few weeks. What will the new normal look like? I’ve learned a lot. I’ve realized how much I miss my family and friends. I’ve always known that but this made it hit much harder. But we’ve found new ways to see one another...we need to keep that up. I need to show my parents how to use video chat so I can “see” them more often too. I’ve learned not to waste anything; not to take the freedom to go anywhere and do anything for granted; that I can make time for exercise despite a crazy work schedule; that taking care of myself feels great; getting fresh air everyday is a must...even on cold, rainy, windy days; to appreciate the ordinary and mundane; that I don’t need as much stuff; to stop putting things off for a better time...and so much more.

What will you take away from this?

New Reality

We have been following the shelter in place order here in PA very seriously.  We really have not gone anywhere in 2 weeks.  My husband is the one who has been going to the grocery store.  But our last visit was 2 weeks ago.

We work from home, exercise, go for walks - and he's keeping up his runs, I hit up the office one morning a week for invoices and checks, we sit on the deck, listen to music - always music, we've done some house projects but not many.

Yesterday I needed to pick up prescriptions. And it was my first time out since the recommendation for wearing masks. It was stormy and dreary. I got dressed and gathered my mask and gloves and headed into the grocery store.  They had a new set up - limiting how many people could be in the store at one time, arrows on the floor for which direction to navigate, spacing marks for standing in line.  I actually wore a tightly woven hair bandanna - the kind runners use - doubled with a filter added instead of a mask.  It fits tightly around my face and covered from just under my eyes to my neck.

   This is what they look like. It fit tight on my nose and cheeks. I went to the pharmacy, picked up and paid for my prescriptions and left. In and out in 10 minutes.  

When I got back to my car I peeled off the gloves turning them inside out and took off the mask. Then I proceeded to sit in my car and sob.  I mean really sob. This just all seems so unreal - like a crazy, bad movie.

I think I have been ok with staying home - I am a home body at heart. But the reality hit yesterday wearing a mask and gloves. I can;t imagine being a hospital worker, pharmacy worker, grocery store worker, mailman, delivery person...headed to work daily wearing these protections and being on the frontline of this crisis. Sure it's hard being home, not seeing family and friends, not being able to just go somewhere.  But I will happily do so to help in some small way so those who do have to face this every day are safer.