Two Years of a Pandemic

Another Way for week of March 4, 2022

Two Years of a Pandemic

Who of us thought it could truly, really happen? A worldwide pandemic. The stuff of novels, movies, the rumbling of obscure scientists?

What were you doing two years ago in early March? When did you catch a drift that the world was changing? When did you come to grips with our new reality as world citizens?

For my husband and I, the bottom really dropped out (we thought), when, after diligently doing pre-op therapy for my husband’s knee surgery on March 10, 2020, our chosen rehab facility suddenly announced it was closing. Shuttered. No one admitted. How could they just do that?

Do you remember how empty the grocery store shelves were? The wiped-out aisles of toilet paper (pun intended)? The scarce ground beef? No flour or yeast in the baking aisle? Tears came, unbidden, to my eyes. How weird it felt to walk into the grocery store with a mask on! What would people think? The little girl—who had not yet learned about social distancing—standing way too close to me in the check out line. The other children I saw (few and far between) who looked so proud and grown up to be wearing masks too.

I remember the elation and happiness and “the world coming together beautifully” feelings upon getting my first vaccine shot and finding that many others of all nationalities and faiths had driven, like we had, miles to find a drugstore that had available appointments for the shots.

One of my grandsons (age 3) is still waiting to for his vaccination which is stressful. People are not wearing masks to run into Walmart, we may not be washing our hands for 20 seconds every time, we may not be cleaning off the light switches every week or disinfecting the gas pump nozzle.

Most of us know dozens—(hundreds?) of folks who’ve had Covid and probably at least a half dozen who’ve died of it. The hub and I struggled through ten days each of isolation after our own positive tests: hub with the real deal, and mine asymptomatic.

What have we learned from this historical—and hysterical time?

God is near. Although I must say that after two years without attending church very often in person (we are able to watch online every week at home), I can see how easy it is to get out of the habit.

We have learned that people can be kinder, more generous, giving, sacrificing their own lives and comfort than we could ever imagine. Thank you, healthcare people!

We found another rehab place, which was even better suited to our needs.

We discovered we can eat outside on chilly fall days with family, get married outside in the middle of January, enjoy conversations outside. In our mild climate zone we did just fine. And if we wear masks, they even keep us warmer, right?

I don’t know how many times I’ve pondered the death of my oldest aunt Mabel who died in the pandemic of 1918-19. (She went to a funeral for a friend one weekend, and the next weekend her family had to have a funeral for Mabel.) Since I never met this aunt, I feel like I know her now—or at least better understand those dreadful times.

We have lost too many people—friends, relatives, church members, family, former co-workers. Some from covid, many from other illnesses and old age (my mother being one). It has been a sad time but we rejoice that in spite of everything, they are truly in a much better place. With the invasion of Ukraine, I have been so glad my mother has not had to worry about what could be ahead—living through World War II was difficult enough.

I’ll end this with the reminder again that God is near, caring for us—and all the refugees—just  as he cares for the birds of the field, according to scripture. And may we continue to care for each other and hang on to the good we find.

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I’d welcome your thoughts and pandemic stories, early memories or reactions.

Have you lost family members or friends to covid?

What have you learned or gained during this time of more isolation and staying at home?

How are things going in your area of the world?

Comment here or send to anotherwaymedia@yahoo.com or Another Way Media, P.O. Box 363, Singers Glen, VA 22834.

Another Way is a column by Melodie Davis, in syndication since 1987. She is the author of nine books. Another Way columns are posted at FindingHarmonyBlog.com a week after newspaper publication.