Becca Rowan is a writer and the author of Life in General, a collection of essays about mid-life as experienced by an American woman in the 21st century. Becca loves creating connections by sharing stories on her popular blog.
I was talking with my friend the other day, a 78-year old retired music teacher and theater director. “Silly me,” she said, “I thought I knew everything there was to know about people, including myself, but during all this I keep learning something new everyday!”
So do I. This week I learned how much I need to be in charge of my pantry.
Four weeks ago today we began our personal “shelter in place,” with the state mandates following suit within a few days.
This is the week I’m calling the “A” week. Acquiescence. Acceptance. Assimilation.
I realize just how deeply physical distancing has become ingrained in my psyche when I mentally scold actors in TV programs for gathering in groups. Or when the characters in the novels I’m reading take trips, go shopping, or meet for dinner, I pause, puzzled.
It’s been quite a week, hasn’t it?
I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you what I’m talking about. The world as we know it has changed drastically this week. It’s on all our minds and hearts.
I confess, until this week I was not overly concerned about Covid-19. Yes, I was paying closer attention to hand washing, I had stocked up on extra provisions (including toilet paper thank goodness!) Most of my concern was for my husband, who is at increased risk due to underlying health conditions. So I was focused on keeping myself healthy most especially for his benefit. But generally I was going about business as usual.
