We recently looked at each other and agreed that we both needed a good cry. For over a year now, we have held it together through thick and thin, Covid, the loss of a dear relative, isolation, boredom, and self-exploration. We have held it together through the former guy, the election, and the insurrection.
It has been a year since we have experienced the normal world – a world that most of us felt safe in. Suddenly, a year ago, we began scrambling for masks, hand sanitizer, and toilet paper. A year ago, we feared going to the grocery store and became afraid of the most normal of social norms such as hugs and handshakes. Early on, we chuckled as we greeted others by knocking elbows and later stopped doing that. We nodded our heads and, through our masks, our eyes told the story. Afraid and weary, we cancelled doctors’ and dental appointments as stadium events and concerts were cancelled and theaters shut their doors. We exercised at home and learned to cook or grow vegetables. We found hobbies, our homes, and ourselves. We learned to cocktail Zoom or take a Zoom or online class.
Finally, when we became weary of the isolation, we dressed in gloves and masks and took an occasional outing to the grocery store. Some had groceries delivered as they heard of grocery workers becoming Covid positive and some deaths. We listened to the scientists when they were allowed to speak. We formed safe bubbles. We all made our own decisions on what felt safe to do and what did not. We witnessed mask shaming and deniers. We witnessed the American Covid death toll as it crept past 500,000 and the Covid toll of over 3,000 healthcare workers across the world. We held it together waiting for a vaccine while supporting ourselves and each other. We did this all together if only from afar by email, text, blogs, phone or Zoom – but we did it together.
Now as we enter the recovery phase, we are all considered the survivors. We are the lucky ones who have lived through the Novel 2019 pandemic now to tell its story and our own. Left with some residual PTSD and, having experienced a form of cognitive dislocation, we move on.
The pandemic gave us stress and boredom and has challenged our mental and physical survival skills, our executive functioning, learning, and memory. We are now the fortunate survivors who have lived through this historical period. And, through the efforts of science, we are now able to stick our arms out and receive a lifesaving vaccine. We are the lucky ones, a little beaten up, but we are the lucky ones. We can now move onward slowly and surely while carefully avoiding re-entry anxiety and whiplash. We deserve a safe trip to the movies, a concert, or a play. We deserve a big hug. But before we do all of that, how about we just sit down and take a huge sigh of relief or, if it suits you, have a good cry. We all deserve that.
As we move into the recovery mode, we have much to be grateful for and to look forward to. We must not forget how it feels to experience fear and hopelessness. There are still those who unfortunately feel that every day. The new Administration is on a roll and the Biden/ Harris team have their eyes on the prize of pulling this country up and together and helping those who are still hurting. We finally have an Administration that says what it means and means what it says. With transparency and the facts, we can finally move on with some hope and work to reduce our daily stress and fill the void of our boredom.
The work of competent people has begun. Government positions are being filled with those with expertise and who will get things done. As we all move forward, we have much to be grateful for – first for each other. Pat yourselves on the back and hug a friend when you safely can.
“What separates privilege from entitlement is gratitude.”
-Brene Brown
This blog is dedicated to the Healthcare Workers and Patients who lost their lives during this pandemic. Because of them, we can embrace our lives going forward. They are the true heroes in the fight against this virulent disease. Be grateful and be kind for we are truly the lucky ones.
