PORCHLIGHT: meanderings of the pandemic

Porch Light

Stories that Shine a Light on Life

meanderings of the pandemic

Life changes. Life brings unexpected changes. We have all felt this over the last few months. Many of us know life has changed permanently. I am just on the cusp of being old enough to be considered in the at risk category of the new virus. So when Spring break came, and we were headed into a much needed vacation from school, I wondered if it would extend past the usual one week off from the little angels. Now let me clarify, I am a substitute teacher, so I am not really on the front lines of the school system, but I am regular enough to feel the pulse and mood of the school and teachers. I love my job, mostly because of the kids. They brighten my life, keep me active and give me a feeling of purpose. So, when the lockdown began, I stayed home. And stayed home and on and on, feeling more like a bit player in Groundhog Day as the time went on. I didn't mind that part, as I find pleasure in solitary activities like gardening, reading and cooking. I missed the Y a lot, and have a hard time being disciplined enough to exercise regularly on my own. I am still attempting to change this part of my personality. Other than via the media's depiction, I have not had any contact with individuals who have tested positive. I knew enough from the news sources to fear the consequences of contracting the disease. Though we are inundated with news around the clock, we all know to take everything with a grain of salt. One side says increasing cases, the other side says decreasing cases, but all we know is that a new strain of virus is out there, and it is potentially deadly. So fast forward to the life changes, we all are wearing masks in public, and many of us are wearing disposable gloves. This takes some getting used to. But as is always said, it's amazing what one can become accustomed to.

by Mary Lynn Powers

Most of my friends who are seniors have taken this threat very seriously. My Dad who lives in a continuing care community has been on lockdown for months. He tries to stay active, but he will tell us his biggest dilemma is boredom. Really, it stems from a lack of the usual social contact. We worry about visiting him as God forbid we are silent carriers. My usually active 95 year old friend has not left her house in almost five months. Fortunately, she has her daughter who lives with her taking care of the necessary errands. I finally was able to visit her in person, being careful to stay six feet away, giving make pretend hugs. She talked about stringent rationing back in the day, and was ready to start stretching food supplies as though we were back in the 1930s and 40s. Most of us have a hard time imagining that this was really a thing. Is it possible that we couldn't get any food item we wanted on

demand? Let me not digress into a "back in my day" reverie. More important is that we are all here together in this, even if we are alone in many ways. How we handle the day to day will show the resilience of our culture and society. The "every day heroes" are out there doing the job under fairly harrowing circumstances. We can all be part of this in how we treat each other even if we do not have a skill that allows us to fight the good fight. The word "kindness" has been thrown around like confetti, and sometimes we forget that it can go a long way. My goal these days is to try to do at least one ordinary act of kindness, however small, every day.

Anyone who knows ML, knows of her everyday kindnesses