Raise your hand if you are sick and tired of this pandemic. I know I am. Can’t travel anywhere. Can’t visit family and friends in the United States. Can’t sing in a choir to chase away the blues. Can’t go to memorial services for choir members or their spouses who have died nor can you hug anyone, not even people who has experienced the death of a loved one.
Of course, compared to many other people, I am very lucky. I am retired, not out of work or struggling to support a family. I am healthy and don’t have Covid-19 like a teacher friend I know who has three young sons. So it could be much worse and yet, I struggle to feel like my old self and find myself often sighing.
For many years, my husband Rick has struggled with depression but he is handling this pandemic better than me because he is happy to stay home and read articles that interest him on his tablet. The whole world of subjects is available there on the internet. In his case, that might be military history, current events, comedy routines, computer programming or anything related to airplanes. I can’t read all day no matter what the topic. I am more extroverted than my hubby. I need to go out and do things, be with other people doing something fun together, like singing. But singing in a choir, in particular, is a risky thing to do during this pandemic. It’s a super-spreader type of activity and has to be avoided until further notice.
I ask myself what meaning are we supposed to extract from this time of worldwide suffering? Where are we to turn for solace? Upon reflection, I have found getting together with friends in small groups can help. Exercise, yoga, meditation and prayer can help. Reaching out to others who are lonely or suffering can help. Putting our faith in God can help. Reading works that touch your heart or soul can help. Here is a poem I found that fits nicely during this time of testing.
Perhaps the lesson we are supposed to learn is to simply hang in there and know that joy will come again someday. We must stay strong and secure in the knowledge that this pandemic will pass away in time. Let’s help each other get through this. That’s the best way to find meaning.
US Author Nancy Klein in Spain 
2020 has been a challenge for all of us. Luv, Hubby
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Lovely post Nancy. I love that poem. Hope you’re feeling good today. You’re friend, Kathleen
Sent from my iPhone
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Thanks for reading my work, Kathleen. Glad you liked the post and the poem I chose to share. Rick and I will be talking to our sons tonight via Zoom so I am looking forward to that. Hope you and Cor are keeping well, dear friend.
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It is what you say so restricting. I can’t imagine how a prisoner can cope for many years weather it was his fault to end up there or being a prisoner of war. The only thing which is free is the intellect or simply ones thoughts but even they need to be aired, dusted off and become inspired for other interpretations. How do we know how others think if we can’t meet and have it tested?
I miss these confrontations. I need people talking back to me. Don’t want to live in a world on my own.
We have to stay apart, we can’t shake hands and certainly not hug each other. Even our own children and grandchildren. We are forced to be anti social which is soul destroying. We are social beings and this pandemic is really testing us and our strengths.
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All good observations on our current condition, Ingbritt. I especially agree that being forced to be antisocial is soul destroying. We will get through this together, my friend. It’s the only way forward.
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Great post. Soon there will be a song: Pandemic Blues, probably when the movie comes out! 😉
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Thanks for the positive feedback. I think Pandemic Blues would make a great name for a song and a movie!
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Hi Darlene! You are a very fast reader. Also my biggest fan. Thanks for your support!
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That is a perfect poem, Nancy. Thanks. One to pin on the bulletin board as a reminder.
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