We’re In This Together
A daily blog as we shelter in place.
I’ve decided to start a daily blog. More and more these days, as worlds big and small plunge into an unexpected and unprecedented time of change, I have felt the urge for a new kind of outlet. Instead of my usual poetry and essays, I’d like to do some more narrative writing about what is going on in the world today as I’m experiencing it in real-time.
Match 17th was the last day I went to work. I am so fortunate to be able to work from home, for now. At this point, I don’t expect to be back to working in person until mid-May, at the earliest. Like the rest of California and most of the country, my husband and I are sheltering in place. This is day 12 of only leaving the house for groceries (when we can find them) and daily walks for exercise.
I am, again, extremely fortunate to have a house with a garden and to live in a beautiful part of the state with a lot of open outdoor space. We also have two sweet cats that are very happy we are home right now. And everyone in my family is healthy. But folks close to me are already feeling the effects of this statewide shutdown on their lives and livelihoods.
There is so much uncertainty these days, about everything from where we might find such a basic necessity as flour or eggs, to when we might hug our best friend again. One thing I am sure of is that we are going to be forever changed by this experience. This is not just happening to our house, street, state, or country. This is a global pandemic. And if nothing else, it is strong validation that we are all connected, to each other and to the earth.
For too long, we have been living out of balance with nature, striving for material wealth at the expense of our health and the future of the planet. How long have we known that people are stressed from working too much and not taking time to care for themselves? At this point, we have no choice. We must stop. We must slow down. And we must take care of ourselves and each other.
