My Pandemic “Experience”…..
By Laurel Erhardt
….for me is turning out very, very nice. I kinda don’t feel it’s right to share. But so far, (knock on wood) I really am enjoying this quiet time in the world. Don’t get me wrong, I think Covid-19 is a big deal and we all need to do all we can to get through this as safely as possible. I think of those families with kids who live on a 5th floor apartment banned from playgrounds and friends, feel bad for those trying to manage compromised immune systems, all the parents pushed into home schooling and the “students” struggling with frustrated “teachers,” the lost celebration for the 2020 grads, the lost jobs (hell – there’s whole lost industries!), the unemployment claim mess, the devastation to financial income, the healthcare workers working to death then coming home and stressing over spreading germs to their families … The sad list is endless. It’s devastating.
But since you asked about my pandemic experience, I’ll share. I retired at the beginning of February. A really new page in life after decades of working and I had a clean slate. No obligations. No alarm clock. No fancy plans. No desire to see the world, go on a cruise or climb a mountain. My favorite vacation spot? Home. You see, I am a homebody, a reclusive introvert. I loved my coworkers, my friends and people in general, but I am not a party animal. I pretty much pass on every party invite. (I gave up coming up with excuses; I just shortened it to “sorry, can’t make it.”) I actually like being home alone.
As the days ticked off after my last day of work, I’ll admit, I was a bit apprehensive with nothing to dictate my day for the first time in over 40 years beyond letting the dog out. But day after day, I just became more settled into this idle life. At the same time the pandemic was growing. Everything was shutting down. Although I am deeply concerned over the whole situation, the orders of “Stay Home! Stay Safe!” were music to my ears!
I hate shopping. I might go to the store once a week. I’ve never been a big fan of eating out so I’m not missing that. I like working in the yard. I’m connected with family via 21st century fancy stuff. The traffic has reduced to what it was 40 years ago. The skies are quieter and bluer. The mountains are clearer. The view has never been this spectacular! I’ve identified so many more birds in my yard. Many by hearing their songs that I now clearly hear in this new, quieter world that surrounds us. I get just enough conversation with the occasional neighbor walking by. And I’m reminded again what a great neighborhood we live in as I experience, and hear stories of, neighbors helping neighbors. “Do you need anything?” “Can I get you anything?” “How you guys doin’?” I even know folks offering up their toilet paper! I am very, very blessed and very, very grateful. The pandemic will eventually pass and I may live through it. I’ll be so glad that it’s over but I will also reminisce over these beautifully quiet days.
(RR 07/20)
….for me is turning out very, very nice. I kinda don’t feel it’s right to share. But so far, (knock on wood) I really am enjoying this quiet time in the world. Don’t get me wrong, I think Covid-19 is a big deal and we all need to do all we can to get through this as safely as possible. I think of those families with kids who live on a 5th floor apartment banned from playgrounds and friends, feel bad for those trying to manage compromised immune systems, all the parents pushed into home schooling and the “students” struggling with frustrated “teachers,” the lost celebration for the 2020 grads, the lost jobs (hell – there’s whole lost industries!), the unemployment claim mess, the devastation to financial income, the healthcare workers working to death then coming home and stressing over spreading germs to their families … The sad list is endless. It’s devastating.
But since you asked about my pandemic experience, I’ll share. I retired at the beginning of February. A really new page in life after decades of working and I had a clean slate. No obligations. No alarm clock. No fancy plans. No desire to see the world, go on a cruise or climb a mountain. My favorite vacation spot? Home. You see, I am a homebody, a reclusive introvert. I loved my coworkers, my friends and people in general, but I am not a party animal. I pretty much pass on every party invite. (I gave up coming up with excuses; I just shortened it to “sorry, can’t make it.”) I actually like being home alone.
As the days ticked off after my last day of work, I’ll admit, I was a bit apprehensive with nothing to dictate my day for the first time in over 40 years beyond letting the dog out. But day after day, I just became more settled into this idle life. At the same time the pandemic was growing. Everything was shutting down. Although I am deeply concerned over the whole situation, the orders of “Stay Home! Stay Safe!” were music to my ears!
I hate shopping. I might go to the store once a week. I’ve never been a big fan of eating out so I’m not missing that. I like working in the yard. I’m connected with family via 21st century fancy stuff. The traffic has reduced to what it was 40 years ago. The skies are quieter and bluer. The mountains are clearer. The view has never been this spectacular! I’ve identified so many more birds in my yard. Many by hearing their songs that I now clearly hear in this new, quieter world that surrounds us. I get just enough conversation with the occasional neighbor walking by. And I’m reminded again what a great neighborhood we live in as I experience, and hear stories of, neighbors helping neighbors. “Do you need anything?” “Can I get you anything?” “How you guys doin’?” I even know folks offering up their toilet paper! I am very, very blessed and very, very grateful. The pandemic will eventually pass and I may live through it. I’ll be so glad that it’s over but I will also reminisce over these beautifully quiet days.
(RR 07/20)
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