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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
This week was amazing. For the first time in 20 months, I was really able to spend time with my mother, who is in a nursing home. Finally, all restrictions have been lifted. Whereas before, we had to make appointments and our visits were limited to half an hour, now we can come and go as we please. It's allowing me to meet the other residents, get to know who her friends are, and spend time with her that's not rushed. On Monday, it was her birthday and my brother flew in from Boston to DC. We bought a cake for her, expecting just four or five people, but everyone on the floor came! (So we had to cut the pieces really small). Anyway, it was a great party, my mom was really happy, and everyone loved the cake. It was amazingly normal. This is a picture of her friends at the table wishing her a happy birthday and saying thanks for sharing the cake! Today I went back and spent two and a half hours with her. We had a picnic lunch, and just hung out with my daughter and her puppy, who my mom loves. It was really fun. And so nice. Amazing how the small things feel so good after all this time. It's nice to finally feel good about something after so many months of anger and frustration and fear!
October 11, 2021
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Talk about what you think the world will be like after the pandemic is over.
I think the world changes regardless, how can it not with almost 8 billion humans in this planet. Do I think a spotlight has been cast upon areas of life that make us uncomfortable, more than in any time in modern history, probably. But do I think there will be long term changes that will stem from this spotlight. Unfortunately no. Not in my lifetime, maybe … but for my kids kids, my future grandkids, there is hope. Systemic problems need to be corrected starting with a generation of people - my girls are 15 and 16 - and have watched our societal “norms”, or inequalities be showcased this year. They have witnessed the baffling craziness of the lengths to which someone will go to retain power, and not in a good way. This is the generation no one is paying attention to right now, but for the next election cycle, they will be front and center. These kids are old enough to make informed decisions, and could follow the election, but we’re not old enough to vote. By the next election cycle they will be old enough to vote and that could change everything for generations to come. At least a generation that might give a hoot about racial and gender equality and therefore make an impact for their own lives and future generations. Should be interesting to see that unfold.
August 1, 2021