The more things change…the more things change.
I am struggling just a bit with where I find myself right now. It’s been almost five months since we all had to turn our lives on a dime and make adjustments we couldn’t have imagined.
The immediate priority was to make arrangements to work from home. We didn’t have time to think about it, we just made it happen. And while we had some bugs to work out, we were all able to take care of our business with relative ease.
It came to our attention at the Agency that, as a result of COVID-19, many community issues became more prevalent and our neighbors needed our help more than ever. We were able to ramp up new initiatives to address food insecurities and help reduce isolation and loneliness among seniors in our region, among others.
We were all so busy we didn’t have time to think about how strange this time really was.
When we did finally find a moment to just breathe, everything felt so surreal. Roads were empty, business were closed, and neighborhoods were quiet. My focus was wavering and, off and on, it has been difficult to stay on task. In those moments I reach out to a colleague, talk it through, and then we move on with renewed strength, almost normal-like.
My husband is still working full time at his place of business and as a couple we’ve had to make some adjustments. He had to learn that just because I’m in the Family Room, it does not mean it’s family time! If we met in the Living Room, then it meant I was available to chat. Sometimes we actually get to have lunch together, which is a treat.
There are a couple of good things that have come from this strange time. One is that I love my commute to work – bed to coffee maker to the family room. Who won’t love that?
The other good change is how little money we’re spending these days! I’ve only had to put gas in my truck once! And the take-out! Normally someone at the office would inevitably run out for lunch many days of the week and my husband and I would go out for dinner a couple times a week. Now, while we have still do ordered take-out once in a while, our entertainment budget has become a new savings account. But, on the flip side, my refrigerator and microwave are just a little too close to my ‘office’ now.
So, not much is normal. Mostly I’m okay with that. I’ve been able to tend my garden, or just run out to the garden and grab some newly ripe tomatoes any time I want. We’re still feeding birds and have even doubled our bird feeders so we can see more varieties. That’s been great.
One thing that is a bit unsettling is the loss of our ‘friends’ time. Everyone is being careful, thankfully, but that means we’re not together, laughing, playing cards, or enjoying meals together. Yes, we can talk and video chat, but it just doesn’t feel the same. I miss the hugs, the nudges, the smiles. Even when we have met with friends at a place with outdoor seating and plenty of space, it’s still not the same. Everyone is a bit tentative and reserved.
I expect that many of you are experiencing similar moments, similar feelings. It is reassuring to talk to others and know you’re not alone in your feelings. We may not experience things at the same time, but we can relate to one another.
Everyone is trying to find their focus and carry on as best as they can. We take care of our families, go to work, watch out for our neighbors and find joy in the positive things in our lives.
And when the next change comes, and you know it will, we will face it with a strong will, a happy heart and a giving soul. Because after all, we are all in this thing together. And no matter what changes come – together is a good place to be.