First, apologies for the absence last week. To be honest, stuff got to me.
Second: The stuff.
Beth and I have faced a lotta stuff. What distinguished us early in our lives is that we experienced medical stuff pretty early in our lives. We did not have contemporaries who grasped it. But we were young. Resilient.
Now, it’s like the Doors song: “No One Here Gets Out Alive.” Or without a health crisis. And man, it’s hard watching.
We’ve had two friends diagnosed with serious forms of cancer during this COVID thing. And a relative who also entered the hospital for less dramatic, but trying, circumstances.. We’ve reached the point where there are now visiting hours, once a patient is admitted to a room, but early on there was not. And in the ER, people are still their own. You watch them march off with a stranger.
A friend lost a mother in assisted living and hadn’t been able to spend quality time for months. A friend has a father in assisted living and sees the father through glass. We have not seen our son Gus since February.
These policies that keep us apart, I’m certain, are wise.
These people, who act irresponsibly about masks and the like, are not.
I’m so sorry Mike and Beth–I know all your Admiral friends (and others as well) are, too. It must be especially difficult with Gus–I don’t know enough about his state of mind to know his state of mind, but –hey, I can’t erase here!–I hope he knows you’re thinking of him. For whatever good it does, Mike, here’s a group hug! Beth, I ran into Ellen Schweri today, and the two of us agreed our days seemed so empty on hiatus!
Thanks, Bindy. We have a Zoom with Gus this Thursday, which is his 34th birthday! Yeesh. When did that happen?
Everybody deserves a week off occasionally. My life is not impacted by the pandemic nearly as much as many or most people. And I sometimes forget the stress that folks go through on a daily basis and then heap on the national news on top of that. I’m an optimist. We’ll get through this. But it’s hard.
I’m with you, Al. Despite moments of despair, I do believe we will get through this. And how bout those White Sox!
Mike, I’m so sorry for your multi-burdens. Life and death are intertwined. When it hits all at once, it is difficult to get over. As you know, times WILL get better. (Hopefully, especially after November.) I have seen more youths willingly wearing masks, so they’re finally getting the message.
Yes
You know, Doug, I think of my mother and father. Born to immigrants. My mom’s dad labored in a coal mine and ended up with black lung. I never met my father’s dad. My parents weathered the Great Depression and WWII. And now we have people who won’t wear masks in the name of personal freedom. My parents are rolling in their graves.
It is very sad. The only thing we can do is hope for the best.
Yep, and I still do. Thanks Anu.
I can’t ever think my way out of despair, but animals help. And animal videos, shamelessly cute animal videos. Check out Joey the baby sea otter on youtube. A rescue being cared for at the Vancouver Aquarium. There’s a live cam.
OMG. You weren’t kidding. Thanks Jean.
Our thoughts and hearts are with you and Beth. Kate and José
Thanks Jose. Beth keeps me afloat!
Love you both <3
Sad words, but, oh so true. I have not been able to see my husband for six months, a first. (I do see him via What’sApp a few minutes daily). I ask myself ‘what are we supposed to learn here?’
Well, maybe I’ll get back to the US in time to vote twice, as our president has suggested we do!
Leave a Response