March 26th, 2020

 

One emotion to describe our present times, uncertainty.  Each day, perhaps, revealing more uncertainty. Uncertainty can cause us all to unravel.  To grope, to claw at what we do not know and to plead for answers.  The unknown can feel so scary, I know.  That sensation of falling, spinning and not knowing when and how you will land.  Some will respond with anger, some with despair and some will cling to an illusion of control. Ah, yes control.  That is a phenomenon for another day.

 

I have developed an intimate relationship with uncertainty in my life.  I can fully appreciate that now.  Overcoming the uncertainties in my life since I was young, is helping me to be strong now.  No, not strong in every second of every day, but overall…yes.

 

When it hits me, I recognize it almost immediately.  The sensations in my body.  My mind scattered.  I walk to a window, lean my forehead on the cold glass and gaze outside.  The cold feels refreshing on my skin.  I have done this since I can remember.  In fact, it is one of my first memories as a child.  I watch the trees, one or two leaves even, and how they sway in the breeze.  I focus my attention on nature.  I breathe deeply and give myself space to feel.  I do not judge it.  I am not ashamed.  I am a human and a resilient soul.

 

Uncertainty in my life has been not knowing if I will ever see a loved one again.  It is not knowing if I will be abandoned again.  It is experiencing two divorces by the time I was eighteen.  It is witnessing firsthand the grip of significant mental illness on my loved ones.  It is enduring loss and not knowing how I will cope.  But, somehow, I always did.  And, so have you endured…the uncertainties in your life as you stand today.

 

I have stopped expecting that all my questions will have answers.  I can still ask, but I must first be OK if no answer comes before I can be brave enough to ask.  Yes, uncertainty has taught me as much.

 

“And, if it didn’t hurt, would you be this strong now?”

 

Yes, it hurt.  And, I am strong now…even in uncertainty.  The uncertainty of this pandemic illuminating the lessons that it has taught me much of my life.  And, I have hope that it provides that possibility for every one of us.

 

“She has grace in her heart and fire in her soul.”

 

 

Day Four (3/15/2020)

Today, I ponder and am granted ample time to do so.  Perhaps, this is a giant wake up call to those of us who are walking mindlessly through life.  This virus has forced us to engage the emergency brake.  Every one of us is affected, some more than others.  I consider those who are in unsafe homes.  Those among us who are barely sustaining.  Those among us who struggle emotionally.  I know life as we know it will not be the same.  This will affect every generation moving forward, however subtle it may be…it will.

I consider the emotions involved: fear, panic, uncertainty, angst, suffering, anger, outrage, bitterness but also hope, love, faith, unity, determination, compassion, creativity, and the list goes on.  I do frequent check-ins to determine where I fall on this spectrum.

I sense the stillness that surrounds me in my home, my community, and in the country.  But, I also sense the intensity and mission of those on the front lines.  I am trying to discover the balance between the two.  It does not seem fair that I can indulge in this stillness, while others must struggle.  The thought comes, ‘I am a nurse.  Maybe, I can volunteer to help.’

Governor Baker is addressing the state on the current mandates.  He is tightening the grip and doing more to enforce social distancing.  Social distancing; a concept that is at the forefront of containment.  I have never heard these words more than in the past two days.  Schools are mandated to close for three weeks now.  Bars and restaurants are being forced to close.  There are heightened regulations protecting those in long term care facilities.  The city is essentially being locked down.  There are so many unanswerable questions.

It seems to be sinking into my children that this is not a vacation, but a world event that will have a significant impact in one way or another.  At this point, no one knows the reach, but this is certain.  The press conference is over just as quickly as it started.  Brooke was making macaroni and cheese standing by the oven on her phone when the notification came in.  We scurried to turn on the T.V.

Within minutes, they have turned on a silly movie with cartoon characters and Michael Jordan.  Their version of decompressing.  It is a lot to process for everyone, but particularly for those whose life has been relatively stable and predictable to this point.  I have faith they will gleam the good out of all to this.  Concepts such as sacrifice, gratitude, and empathy.

 

“The best teacher I know is life.  It has a strange way of humbling us and forcing us to grow and open our hearts and minds.”  Joe Duncan (CEO and Founder of Before 5am)