In January and February, as reports from China trickled through American media about another virus transmitted from animal to humans, Dan and I were packing suitcases for a trip to Florida. We'd heard about pandemics before, in years past. There was the swine flu, various bird flus, and SARS. They seemed to come and go without affecting most of us, our economy or health. Would this be different?
With hand sanitizers and masks in tow for flying, we went to Florida mid-February and were greeted with warm reunions on four stops throughout the sunshine state. Lucky timing! Special treats were a designer home tour in Palm Beach and the elaborate Imagine Museum of glass in St. Petersburg. But best of all were the close connections with people we love, nearly absent with Covid-19
At home in Southern California, my scheduled shoulder surgery on March 2nd was in an OR next door to my grandson's, under the knife for the second of 15 surgeries on his leg, foot and shoulder. He was the victim of a tragic incident of random violence the day before, just two months from college graduation. After five weeks in the hospital and months of home care, on June 23rd he took steps on the injured foot, thanks to amazing perseverance, a stoic attitude and dream team of surgeons. The good news meant we could all breathe easier and walk lighter, too.
In the meantime, my recovery proceeded with minimal stress as Covid-19 percorlated around the globe. From a perch on the couch, I tracked daily reports channeling through social and news media indicating the rest of the world was hunkering down, too. Little did I know beforehand what lucky timing my surgery was, since hospitals were canceling elective procedures in order to make room for Covid care. Trauma patients like my grandson were relocated time and again as floor plans were reconfigured to isolate Covid cases. I cringed to think what might happen, or not happen, if someone had another serious illness or injury in our new normal environment.
Early on, some said Covid descended without warning, but there were alerts in the world of public health. They came in the form of HIV, bird and swine flus, and SARS, all raising red flags at the CDC, with responsibility for pandemic preparation. But an unexpected blow hit the CDC three years ago, with major funding and staff cuts, and waning interest from Washington in a pandemic too illusive to consider. But still, we do live in the United States, which has the best medical research and treatment in the world. We would surely tackle this intrusion to our former way of life quickly. And yet, we still lead the world in the number of cases diagnosed. The rest is history, with plenty of fodder for nightly news, political cartoons, late night TV, ZOOM debates, Twitter, radio talk shows, and policymakers. The loss has been heartbreaking -- dying souls without the comfort of family, and survivors who may be dealing with recovery for months or years. The burden has been daunting -- frontline workers with minimal protective equipment and treatment options, forced to prioritize care and hold the hands of dying patients while they put their own lives at risk.
The Covid era has given all of us an extended pause, and presented a painful reality of what should've happened but didn't and doesn't. So, with a heavy heart put aside, I want to pause and count the silver linings, because there have been some. Perhaps you also can find some:
- Taking a break from the merry-go-round of life, with the gift of time
- An adorable adopted tabby cat, Butterscotch
- Great advice from Pluto Living
- Shopping for cat stuff -- condo, string toys and outdoor playpen
- Long walks around the hood with Dan (before the golf course reopened)
- Daily walks with my neighbor buddy and new faces on the streets and trails at Carrillo Ranch
- Baking, home improvements, and gardening to give new life to pots and succulents
- Block party Bingo from driveways on Thursday night with music, treats, and winners
- An outdoor office with rugs, umbrellas, fresh paint, my laptop and Alexa
- Lovely dinners on the patio with friends at the opposite end of the table
- ZOOM to keep in touch and actually see HS friends and others near and far
- A short trip to Oregon to revel in family time, gorgeous gardens, and farm to table dining
- Outdoor family celebrations and visits
- Huge laughs with Sarah Cooper
- TV Shows -- Homeland, Succession, My Brilliant Friend, Ray Donovan, Hamilton, etc.
- Movies -- Vitus, The Next Three Days, Battered Bastards of Baseball, etc.
- Fire Stick thanks to a neighbor's expertise setting us up
- Sewing projects, some done, some waiting for weeks or months
- Window visits and appointments with my sister
- A relaxed recovery with new PT exercises for my daily routine
- A return to yoga after a three-year hiatus -- Yoga with Adrienne Home
Wishing all of us safety, health and compassion toward one another💜
