I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone. I wish I had not been in a hurry to get on to the next things…I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting done a little less.
Anna Quindlen-Loud and Clear
Perhaps we can take a moment to “look into the rearview mirror” as they say. It’s certainly been a strange year. Some say it’s like having an extra part time job called COVID. I think of it as a backpack-one you carry and never quite put down. How many times have I jumped out of the car only to back up and retrieve my mask? After ten months of mask-wearing you’d think I’d remember. It should feel as awkward as jumping out of the car without shoes. The guidelines recommended not touching your face before washing your hands. I suddenly was aware of how often I touch my face or maybe I was touching my face because now I was reminded of it.
I work in a highly public area and have always carried hand sanitizer in the pocket of my car. Only now I was using it every time I got in and out of the car. I even rubbed hand sanitizer on my steering wheel; right before I touch my face. Last spring worked slowed and it was suggested we shelter as much as possible. I stayed home venturing out once a week for food and church services. Then church services closed down.
I spent six days working at home and enjoyed it. By then going to town everyday seemed rather excessive. There was plenty to do at home. I set up my DVD exercise program and caught up on a million little overdue projects. I stood in front of my well curated closet only to realize I had nowhere to go so I curated some more.
Then restaurants closed. I cooked every meal with occasional take out. Cooking turned out not to be so bad as now I had plenty of time. I believe we were eating a healthier diet with smaller portions and fewer preservatives or added sugar. I have not been to a bonafide grocery store in months. I would be remiss not to mention Sam has been extremely grateful to neighbors who have dropped off Christmas cookies. The pandemic has been hard on him in that way. I did make banana pudding a few times.
Due to COVID I joined Facebook. This opened a whole other time commitment and an opportunity to reunite with old and new friends. Sam suggested I go through my family pictures and share with him my growing up years. It turned out to be a wonderful idea. As I ran across photographs of and with my now Facebook friends, I shared the photographs. What fun it was reconnecting after some forty years. We had plenty of laughs as we didn’t always recognize our current or younger selves.
So as difficult as this 2020 COVID backpacking extra part time job as been, perhaps we can find a few good moments somewhere there in the rearview mirror.
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