In Alberta we have now been shut out from “normal” life since March 2019. The day the government announced the first shut down I cried. Not for me, but for all the people who have small business in which they have invested their savings and their lives. Shutdown doesn’t make too much of a problem for me, but what about the kids (anyone younger than me)? Learning is best when kids are out and about, in the real world. What about all of the people who will no longer be able to keep up their mortgage payment? What about that young chef from ?!Why Not!? who was just getting his restaurant going?
In the summer of 2019, a friend who works diligently to keep us all in touch, sent a questionnaire for each member of our little group to respond to. Here are my responses.
What has changed? What is your day like?
Everything about my life has changed in the past couple of years, so the lockdown was just a step deeper into the change. Sort of like super-retirement! There doesn’t seem to be an average day, or any regularity. I sleep in as long as I want (up between 5:30 to 9 am) and go to bed fairly early (some time between 8:30 to 10 pm). I’m not well planned. Other than staying in touch with family and friends, I just take up little projects that catch my attention. Cleaning and organizing seems to be high on the list. Even went through my clothes in the Marie Kondo style, freeing up all sorts of space and finding that extra dresser is not needed at all!
These are some of my projects: reading, sewing jogging pants for granddaughter Matilda, taking an on line course on how to make videos on your phone, trying to make videos, getting my income tax done, playing with Kaldi (our happy pooch), planning and planting the garden, baking bread and cinnamon buns, practicing the ukulele, repairing the fence, moving a raspberry patch, walking about 5 kilometers a day in the river valley, transcribing a great aunt’s 1901 journal, writing, creating a web site for family recipes, organizing photos…. well, that is the gist of it. The only regular activity is taking care of Matilda one day a week. Having her in our bubble has been a blessing. All days seem to go by very quickly.
What do you miss most/find most challenging?
1. It has been extremely difficult helping my mother and Richard’s father. My mother is 94. Richard’s father was 95, and sadly passed away during lockdowns. The isolation, while perhaps good for many of the younger residents in their homes, has been devastating for them. Seeing family is really their main reason to live, and that was taken away. Phone calls are just not the same thing. My mother, while remaining incredibly upbeat, has expressed that she doesn’t really care if she lives any longer, she just wants to be with family, to see their smiles and feel a warm embrace from the ones she loves. Both of them lost cognitive function and mobility as a result of the isolation of lockdown. The residences they are in are excellent, but paid staff cannot replace family.
2. The lack of physical contact with friends and family is also the most challenging part of the lockdown for me. It was great to see some of the neighbors at Elaine and Cole’s 50th anniversary event last summer. It was heartwarming to see so many turn up on the road and sidewalk to help celebrate this occasion, even if it was a brief encounter! When I arrived Margaret threw her arms out as if to give me a hug, and then quickly withdrew them as it was not possible. I cried all the way home. I hope this is not one of the things that continues from this day forward.
What do I like about lockdown?
The biggest benefit of the lockdown has been the opportunity to reflect. Definitely there has also been a gift of time. The lockdown took reflection further, not only for me but for everyone – which has awakened the mind to possibilities and generated conversations as to what to do from here. Sometimes when a road is blocked there is no other choice but to take a different path.
What have I learned by being in lockdown?
There is so much to learn and challenging times seems to provide even more learning opportunities! Here are a few of my insights:
1. I already have everything I need, I don’t need to go to any store. (except for plants, I need plants.)
2. I’ll never be a seamstress or a ukulele player. I spent more time ripping out than sewing those miniature jogging pants. And with the ukulele I can’t remember the cords from one practice to the next. So, the sewing machine is now reserved for mending; and for now the ukulele is back in the closet.
3. While all techie things look like they should be easy, they are full of pitfalls and take a lot of time!
4. Making bread is so much fun, but eating it has undesirable effects.
5. And one that just keeps coming back to me: You have to let people choose their own adventure… and smile and wave!
I guess that is about it for the survey. I’m looking forward to enjoying appetizers and wine with my lady friends some time in the future. In the mean time , during the first lockdown the blossoms were beautiful and the spring greening happened. And during the second lockdown the river trail paths are proving a great retreat, and the wonderful strangeness that is life is still there to be enjoyed!