I leaned what my French or Irish ancestors must have known – how to forage. Pasta was in short supply – had to find that. Toilet paper was in short supply – had to find that. Time to eat more fruits and vegetables which meant more recipes to learn.
More time indoors so Watched Downton Abbey and Grace and Frankie and later Bosch and I did washing.
More time mowing and growing and exterior painting.
I’ve always been a bit of a neat freak so being and remaining germ free was doable.
I’ve mostly been a rule follower so I wore my mask and gloves and still do in places where others are more comfortable when I do also.
So far I have been contagion free. Wish me continued food luck.
As we start our third year of this fearsome pandemic it’s hard to believe we’ve gotten through it this far. Initially I was in a state of disbelief, and it took me awhile to internalize how serious the situation was. And then I felt sorry, very sorry for myself.
But in time I saw what a selfish and wasteful emotion that was, and instead began to empathize with everyone else – parents and young children at home while their offices and schools were closed; high school and college kids in virtual classes isolated from friends and peers; men and women in mid-career with financial and other worries; and older, retired folks with trips and other plans now on hold.
Then – finally – a glimmer of light at the end of the dark Covid tunnel, and the hope we might return to some semblance of life as we knew it. But now the new horror in Ukraine.
”May you live in interesting times” I had always thought was a blessing, but now I understand why it’s actually a curse.
And so my friends, my fervent wish for us all – may we live this next year in a world of peace.
