Tuesday, November 10, 2020

May you live in interesting times, or lessons I've learned during Covid.

According to Wikipedia "May you live in interesting times" is an English expression that is claimed to be a traditional Chinese curse.  While it sounds like a blessing, the expression is normally used ironically; life is better in "uninteresting times" of peace and tranquility than in "interesting" ones, which are usually times of trouble.

We definitely are living through "interesting times"; the key word being "living".

After our Premier demanded that we all "STAY THE BLAZES HOME!" we learned to stay put and venture out as little as possible.   

When Covid-19 first impacted our lives, the ice was just going out on the lakes in Nova Scotia.

Now as we navigate the second wave, the leaves have turned colour and Winter looms.


In March the media spoke as if this might last a few weeks, or even a month or two.  I wonder if we would have believed it if we were told back then that the Pandemic would be affecting us well into 2021?


All sorts of 
humorous signs have popped up to remind us how to behave.

 




At the start, sanitizer and face masks were hard to find; even toilet paper was in short supply.

Now the shelves are full of masks. Christmas themed masks and sanitizer gift sets are already popping up in stores.  Who would have thought at the beginning of this that face masks would become a fashion accessory ?

We've always been pretty patient about lining up.  Under Covid, we have learned to increase the distance between us in line  to 6 ft (2 m.). while following directional arrows.



Many  folk who'd never gardening suddenly turned up at garden centres in droves.  Since they could not travel, many sought to turn their gardens into places of refuge. As you know, I've been a gardening nut for eons.

As we could no longer socialize with friends in person many of us learned to meet over "Zoom" or FB Messenger.  

Laughing is so important in times like these.


Still, I miss singing in my choir.  I miss hugs.  I miss my chums Pat and Sandy who have visited me every year since I moved here.  I miss spending birthdays with Sara and Kelly.
Even though I couldn't afford to fly anywhere right now, just knowing that I can't makes my world feel smaller.


So what have I learned ?

I have learned that that song that goes, "You just don't know what you've got till it's gone"
 is quite, quite true.

Going out and not worrying about social distancing will be so nice.
Not wearing a mask will be terrific.
But these are such simple things, aren't they ?

And yet things feel so very different.
We took a lot for granted in the "before" times.  


A few years hence do you think we'll treasure the simple things we're missing now; or do you think we'll be taking it all for granted again ?

How has your life changed ?  
What are you missing most ?


7 comments:

  1. I miss traveling, eating in restaurants, attending concerts and the theatre, taking art lessons and going to tai chi. But however long it takes, we must each do our parts to promote the collective health of our communities. You've done especially well in the Atlantic Bubble, so congrats!

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    1. I miss many of those same things Debra. I'd love to take tai chi. We're pretty lucky that our population is so low in the Atlantic bubble. And we're a pretty compliant lot. Stay well.

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  2. Our freedom here in Australia is definitely limited, but we have had to learn to adapt. There are many positive side effects of Covid too when you think about it. Common colds, 'flu and pheumonia are almost unheard of now, and as you said, people who have never gardened before have set up their own vege patches. And did you see the clips on TV of cities and waterways around the world, showing how clear they look without polution? Not that we can stop all industry, but it demonstrates how cutting back, or trying different methods to manufacture products would improve the health of the world in future. The worst part is not seeing your distantly located friends and family in person, and getting hugs, as you said. I hope this has been a wakeup call to all people to not take the things we are missing for granted in the future.

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    1. Well said. I live near an airport and the flight path goes over my house. I notice how few planes go over now. I'm sure the skies are cleaner. We certainly need to re-think how often we travel. I sure miss my family in Ontario.

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  3. Your post makes me feel quite melancholy. Although I am one of the lucky few who doesn't mind all the social isolation...lol. I am an extreme loner at heart and often think I would be quite happy living a hermit type lifestyle. However, I do understand that there aren't many people who feel the way I do and I know it's very difficult for people who don't feel the same way. I hope it won't take too long before social people like you can get back to the things they enjoy doing! Virtual hugs!!

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    1. I miss you. And I miss hugs. I do chat a lot with folk when I shop. I am such a social being. I feel for families with loved ones in hospitals or care homes.

      Maybe we'll have a Messenger call with Kelly soon.

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  4. When Sara said way back in March that we likely wouldn't be able to get together for my birthday in November, I thought Nah, we'll be back together by then. Boy, was I wrong! In all honesty, I'm OK with spending a lot of time at home. But I do miss doing normal things that we take for granted, like running out to the general store to pick up a carton of milk. Now picking up milk is combined with all other errands so that there's only one trip out during the week, not three. I miss seeing people's smiles because our faces are half-covered with masks. And of course, I miss hanging out with friends. I'm already a germaphobe, so this is just ramping up all my fears that I had almost convinced myself were irrational. At least I already have lots of experience with good hand hygiene :-)

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Thanks for stopping by. I really do love to read your comments.