Good evening friends, I was sitting here listening to the radio and it mentioned that it is the 1 year anniversary of Covid-19. One year ago today the WHO declared a global pandemic and many of us went on “lock down” for two weeks. Then the two weeks stretched to Easter, then there was hope that by Memorial Day we would be out celebrating, then summer and on and on it went with no end in sight. We missed trips, adventures, celebrations, hardships, and so much more.
One year and over 500,000 people gone; mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. My thoughts and prayers are with all who have lost a loved one to this pandemic, and to those who are still suffering from it.
We watched around the world our friends and family locked in their houses, singing from their balconies at night, tributes to the healthier care hero’s, and we waited, for answers, and for a cure.
This past year seems like the longest, slowest and yet fastest year. A year of changes for us all, a time when the world seemed to stop and yet the seasons still changed, late winter turned to spring, then summer, then fall and then winter again.
People lost their jobs, their homes, and businesses. We stopped traveling, kids stopped going to school, concerts were cancelled, the Olympics were cancelled, no proms, no graduations, no weddings or funerals, almost everything was cancelled and if it wasn’t canceled its was held in some new iteration.
I am lucky because I have a roof over my head, my husband has his job, and THANK GOD all of my family is safe and well from Covid-19. The only hardship for me was not being able to travel and see my family and friends. We have no plans to go anywhere until the Fall but like most people our plans are written in pencil on the calendar just in case there is a change.
I wonder though and I pray every day about the people who lost their lives, the people that were in abusive situations with no help, I wonder about the children that found virtual learning a challenge, I wonder what are the ramifications of staying home from school for a year?
There is a quote ” the most challenging times bring us the most empowering lessons.” I hope and pray that as we emerge from our homes and go back out into the world that maybe just maybe we emerge with more empathy, compassion, love, joy and wonder for ourselves, our fellow human beings, and Mother Earth.
I hope that you have a great night and a great weekend.
Monday Musings
Monday Musings and Christmas Cookies
Monday Musings
Monday Musings
And now we’re close to the second St. Patrick’s day to be called off
Pandemic fatigue is getting worse. So close to normality, yet it’s no time to relax. It would be stupid to have made it a year without getting sick, and then catching it just before being able to be vaccinated.
Well said Elizabeth! It’s been a crazy year. We lost four people to Covid on our little street of 10 houses. One was only 24 years old. Emma was abroad in Spain when this happened and had to come home from an adventure of a lifetime. Annie is postponing her big wedding. But such a small price to pay to still have our lives. It’s been quite a year. I hope we all keep in our hearts the good that we’ve learned from this experience.
Happy Friday!
Lynn
All so well said dear Elizabeth, thank you for taking time to write such a great post. We are all in agreement I’m sure, the things you reminded us about, all that has happened, to us personally, our families and friends scattered around the planet, the immense change the world has seen and continues to go through.
Like you, I’ve also pencilled in travel plans. Bob and I, being in that rather advanced age group, feel we have been robbed of precious time when we could have been traveling – we had to cancel so many proposed trips in the past 12 months. We are however so thankful we have stayed well, now have been vaccinated and are ready to go when it becomes possible. . . . .and are prepared for what will be huge increases in travel insurance for overseas trips I’m sure!!!!
Enjoy this lovely weekend – it’s been a brilliant week around here weather wise, we are so blessed.
Hugs – Mary
ADD MY NEIGHBOR TO THE LIST………….passed from COVID.
YEP its been a YEAR!
For me it went by FAST TOO!
NOW WE WATCH AND WAIT……………
Elizabeth, I am so sorry to hear this!
Beautiful and heartfelt post, Elizabeth! I wholeheartedly agree.
Brenda
Thank you Brenda! I hope that you have a wonderful weekend.
Such a great post! I am thankful every single day that my family remain safe. We are still in lockdown here and with the new strain of COVID spreading like wildfire, I can’t see us being able to do much this year either. Staying home is a small price to pay for keeping us and others safe!
Jayne, I could not agree more. Staying home in a very small price to pay for staying safe and keeping friends and family safe as well.
Great post. And yes, it’s been a very strange year. We haven’t seen friends nor family in so long… but are grateful that everyone has remained well. And I agree that with the numbers of cases going down and people getting vaccinated, that things are looking up. I do so want to hug my kids and grandkids again soon. But I’m not sure we should let down our guard yet. If we do so too early, we could end up back where we started. No one wants that.
I agree, we have to be vigilant and not rush out too soon. I do not think we can take another “lock down.”