No one who lived through the past year will be likely to forget it. A time when fear, sadness, and panic became our constant companions. Anxiety levels amped to stratospheric heights. A person had to practically be on tranquilizers to watch the evening news. The world as we knew it disappeared.
It’s only been recently that a tiny light began to glimmer, ever so faintly, at the end of this very dark tunnel. Newly developed vaccinations have brought hope, and for me, hope promotes reflection.
I decided to take a look at what I learned in 2020. A lot of things came to mind, but I winnowed them down to seven.
History Helps
When it comes to infectious diseases, Covid-19 is not humankind’s first rodeo. History is fraught with frightening health adversities such as plagues, smallpox, tuberculosis, and polio. The knowledge that these diseases were, so to speak, beaten into submission, became a comforting thought to me. While this in no way atoned for the lives lost to Covid, it helped me understand the fact that with time we would once again persevere.
Made to Move
When mostly confined to one place, a person has a tendency to sit. Especially when the only contact to the outside world is via the phone or a computer. Too much sitting, I found, can lead to an unfortunate consequence. My back started to ache. Then it started to hurt, with pain and numbness shooting down my left leg. Off I went to physical therapy which only made things worse. One X-ray and one MRI later, I discovered I had a herniated disc plus a slipped disc. Why? Because sitting too much is bad. Our bodies were made to move. Over time the pain has improved substantially, but I remember the lesson. I now use a standing desk and take frequent breaks to walk, even if it’s only from one end of the house to the other.
Planning Ahead
Who would have thought that a major lesson would be to plan ahead? By that I mean, don’t wait until you’re down to the last roll of toilet paper or final container of disinfectant wipes before you buy more. Keep the pantry stocked. I’m sure you know why. And guess what? When the chips are down, you can buy almost anything on line.
Fresh Air
I’ve always been a fan of ventilation, but never really fretted much about it. However, over the past year it’s become an obsession. I want at least one window open a bit, even on cold days. There’s something about the idea of clean air sweeping into the house and diluting any germs floating around that makes me almost giddy with joy. I even bought an air purifier to run during the night. I no longer take for granted the privilege of filling my lungs with sweet pristine oxygen.
Technology Rocks
Our best buddy: technology. Thanks to the internet, we’ve been able to work from home, attend meetings and workshops, go to school, go to church, and even visit. My family celebrated Easter 2020 via Zoom. It felt strange, but it beat not seeing each other at all. Before the pandemic started, who would ever have imagined such a thing? While technology can’t replace in-person contact, at least we had a way to connect. I have a feeling this new-found knowledge will permanently change the way we do a lot of things, from employment to conferences to sales. Zooming is a lot cheaper than getting on a plane and booking a hotel room. It also adds a funny touch to meetings when your office assistant (also known as the dog or cat) makes a surprise appearance.
Appreciate the Helpers
As Mr. Rogers once famously said, “Watch for the helpers.” I’ve never taken helpers for granted, but there’s nothing like a pandemic to spotlight their crucial importance. Our medical workers, first responders, researchers, and teachers are among our best friends. They did things like take care of us when we were sick, developed vaccines in record time, adapted to new ways of teaching our kids, and at the risk of their own lives did what they needed to do during an unprecedented crisis. Then there were those who kept food pantries in operation and reached out to the homeless and others who are most vulnerable. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. May we never forget.
Connections
Family and friends. This may have been the hardest lesson of all. You don’t realize how much you miss the fellowship and cohesion that comes from being near loved ones until you can’t be near them. We had to totally change the way we “see” our favorite people. While waving from a distance or visiting virtually was better than nothing, I longed for more. And, after receiving both my vaccines, for the first time in more than a year I got a big long hug from my grandson. Just wow.
I finally feel like life is ever-so-slowly returning to normal. It may be a somewhat new normal, because change begets change, but I’m okay with that. What I hope never to lose again are the most important things.
What about you? What have you learned from living through a worldwide pandemic?
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Pat Wahler is the author of Western Fictioneers’ Best First Novel of 2018, I am Mrs. Jesse James. She has also authored a contemporary romance series, The Becker Family Novels, and a holiday-themed short story collection, Let Your Heart Be Light: A Celebration of Christmas.
12 Responses
Pat–I’ve learned that a slowed-down life is not always a bad thing. There was a period (last school year) when I was teaching virtually, but in reality, it was merely assigning work to middle-schoolers every day, and then grading the work. I was posted the work every morning, I had a weekly class meeting, and other than that, my time was my own.
Given the extra time, I made use of it, and I queried publishers and editors. I worked (on my laptop) in my backyard occasionally as I enjoyed the smell of flowers and the sound of birds. I took my dog for extra walks.
Yes, extra slow means there’s time to savor…
You’re absolutely right, Sioux. Sometimes we’re like a dog chasing its tail, spending a lot of energy but getting nowhere. I’m glad you found time to do things that made you happy.
Be sure to share this in WE PAW. You haven’t posted in long time.
I’ll do that, Denise. Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
I learned that time is a weird warpy thing. While it feels like this pandemic has gone on forever, time lays over itself and Thursday comes again even when it feels like it was just yesterday. Why Thursday? That’s dinner night with my grown son. At first we skipped them because we just didn’t know what was safe. Then we started, but no hugs. Now we hug because my son is part of our pod and we all socially distance, rarely go anywhere, and always wear masks. The few times he’s strayed, including once when he thought he’d been exposed, we’ve stayed apart for a while. Can’t wait to see the two out of town steps and g’kids.
I also love fresh air, but I don’t leave windows open. During the winter it’s hard enough for me to get warm. The rest of the year, there’s always some pollinating that I’m allergic to. I can’t allow the pollen in because it gets on everything and is impossible to eradicate. However, once the daytime temps hit 70ish, I will be outside on the deck every day it isn’t raining. Yes, the pollens still get me, but I leave them outside.
I hear you with the time warp thing, Jeanne. Each day blends seamlessly into the next. If it weren’t for exciting things like: “Thursday the trash goes out”, I wouldn’t have a clue, LOL!
You have a gorgeous backyard to sit in, so who wouldn’t want to sit outside! 🙂
All valid points. I shifted from one end of the couch to the other for a few winter momths and realized I ached form not exercising. So I made it a point to walk thebig box stores every other day. I missed my grandkiddos most of all.
Oh, I know what you mean, Linda. The worst thing is not seeing family like we used to do. I have my fingers crossed that the light at the end of this tunnel keeps getting brighter!
Great post, Pat. I learned that I really can do a lot more than I ever gave myself credit for. 🙂 So i think this might have improved my self-esteem somewhat.
Wow, Margo. We’re capable of more than we thought. That’s one of the best takeaways that anyone could have learned from the pandemic.
Great post, Pat. Our whole family has been home since last March, so it’s been strange (but wonderful) having all five of us here again. I like to have a window open, too, and just today my husband’s allergies really started acting up. Looking forward to doing some of the things this summer that were postponed last year. Fingers crossed!
Amy, it sure is wonderful to finally feel signs of hope.
Allergies are tough to deal with. And of course springtime is prime time for them to flourish. Hope your hubby gets some relief soon.