Things the Corona Virus Pandemic Has Taught Me

It’s amazing how one day life was flowing right along and then in a blink of an eye, everything changed. This thing called the Corona Virus, AKA Covid-19, has taught me to realize many things and to appreciate many others.

It still sends a shock when I think of a world where church, sporting events, school and work have been cancelled. Or how necessities like toilet paper, cleaning supplies, meat, etc. have been wiped from the grocery store shelves. Simple pleasures like getting a haircut, shopping at a favorite store (I’ve missed Marshalls), going to a movie or sitting in a restaurant to eat have become recent memories.

Non-essential businesses have closed, forcing some who can, to work from home and others laying off their employees, causing businesses to suffer. Gas prices have fallen but I have no need to buy any because I can’t go anywhere except the grocery store. There’s no socializing with anyone outside of your home. Individuals living alone are feeling in total isolation. People with mental health issues are struggling more than before because of the isolation with fears of increased suicide becoming a concern to those who love and care about them. Weddings have been postponed and funerals are limited to just family.

I go to the store for groceries hoping I’ll find what I need because it’s one of the things I CAN do and wonder if the person that I just passed in the vegetable aisle may be infected. Medical supplies and machines to help those afflicted are limited or unavailable and healthcare workers are stressed to the max not even having masks to use to protect themselves. I’ve seen the best in people and the worst in people. Why is it that crisis can do that?

On social media I see posts begging people to stay at home to help stop the spread of the virus. I see people sharing funny memes about the corona virus. I mean, if we don’t laugh, we might just cry and laughing is better than crying, right?

Facebook seems to be the outlet people are using to release their boredom, because my Facebook feed is extremely full of posts and what usually takes a few minutes to scroll through now takes much longer. Well I guess I have time to look now, right? I suppose I’m bored as well. I see games on Facebook such as 2 truths and a lie, name 10 jobs or 7 cars and guess which is a lie, posts challenging others to post a picture of first child or pet, etc. I see others sharing their struggles home schooling their children.

Yes, the Covid-19 virus is serious, and people are dying. This is a serious disease.

BUT……. I see people coming together through technology like Zoom to meet with family and friends. I see people sharing the fun times they are having with their families and creative ways to pass the time. Away from the day to day rushing to events, practices, meetings etc. memories are being made while safe at home. I see people giving back to their communities by helping those in need by preparing meals and giving monetarily to organizations that help others in crisis. I see people dropping off goodies and notes of encouragement to friends. In that respect, maybe the Corona virus hasn’t been totally bad.

I’ve come to realize that

• Church can still go on if only through technology but there is a lot to be said about that connection made while being at church

• Life as I once knew it has been put on hold

• Someone I love may become infected with this virus and die

• I don’t like isolation and social distancing because I like human connection

• I may not be able to get my hair cut

• The grocery store may not have what I need or want

• I may run out of toilet paper and have to resort to alternative means

• I realize that I’m cooking a lot and miss eating at restaurants (we do carryout sometimes)

• Hand washing is apparently a new thing as soap is hard to find in stores

I’ve come to appreciate MORE THAN EVER

• A hug from a friend or loved one

• The privilege of attending church in an actual building and not through technology

• Sitting at a soccer game cheering on my granddaughter

• Having a cup of coffee or a glass of wine or beer with friends

• Sharing the company of family or friends

• Sitting down in a restaurant to have a meal

• Going to the grocery store and finding what I need or want

• Vacations and the opportunity to travel

• My FAITH

Yes, my faith. I must trust when things are uncertain. Uncertainty breeds fear but I must trust that God is in control. I must not let fear take hold. Do I get scared sometimes? Yes. But God is still with me. He knows what tomorrow looks like. He’s already there so I can’t worry about that. I must leave that to Him and trust His plan.

We are all in this together. I pray that after this is over and our lives return to normal, we don’t forget what, for a time, was taken from us - our freedom to go about life as usual, the blessing of a warm embrace from a loved one or friend, standing in a church singing praises of worship, hearing the sounds of parents and grandparents cheering on their favorite athletes from the sidelines, or sitting in a crowded restaurant enjoying a delicious meal. When we come out on the other side of the Corona Virus pandemic of 2020, I pray we will become better humans because of it. I pray we will never ever take for granted the things we hold dear and the simple pleasures of life and that we will love more and be more thankful for all our blessings.

#ananchorofhope