Hello Everyone:
It is Easter and Passover weekend. Typically a time when we gather with family, friends and loved ones to celebrate and be together. This year, so different. With the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been forced to settle for phone calls, video face timing, perhaps a wave through a window or a shout across the driveway. All we can know and hope is that next year, it can only get better.
After what seemed to be a good start to 2020 – the year of new vision, a new decade, of new hope, dreams and aspirations, we find ourselves all struggling to see each day through. To wonder about the next day, our health, our loved ones, and how the new normal will look like and what the future holds when things are finally contained – and becomes part of our reality going forward.
I was lucky enough to spend a few days in Mexico City in January with some BFFs. It was an enlightening experience. A large and over-crowded city that was not just modern and reminded me of some European cities, but full of history and culture. Casa Azul was a highlight – along with Xochomilco – where we were on an open boat going along the canal with food boats and mariachi bands who came on board for a couple hundred pesos and serenaded you.
That was followed by my annual ski trip. This year I went to the Dolomites with a couple of girlfriends. Skied 120 kilometres and 6 days straight. We were in Ortesei, Val Gardena. While the weather was hit and miss, it was memorable in so many ways. Spent an evening in Milan – visiting the Duomo; and having an incredible evening at a local pizzeria, Piz that has only 3 pizzas on the menu. Usually I go away for 2 weeks. Good thing I decided to go home. Not sure why – – but in the end – all for the best with Italy being hit with the Covid wave just a little of 2 weeks later.
Even went skating with my nieces. It was Miya’s debut. I hadn’t skated in 13 years. Sharpened my skates and luckily didn’t fall. The skiing must have helped. LOL 🙂
What has evolved has been surreal. This will be the Black Swan event of our lifetimes. In fact there were two at the same time. While some of us are used to being alone – it is not the same. I am lucky to not feel lonely at the best of times but there are moments. I know we all have them. Even if we have our families that we live with. It is hard not to see my mother in person – she is confused at times and sometimes doesn’t understand what is happening. Other times, she is OK and understands there is a virus that is deadly and unknown & she is in a vulnerable group. I see my Dad on Zoom or from a distance when I drop off his weekly pears. Our new world and reality. For now. But there is hope. There is light at the end of the tunnel. I can only pray that it comes soon. I do know that we are all making that extra effort to reach out and care a little more than we did when we had our usual ‘busy lives’. I am sure there will be some good that comes from all of this – and it will be up to us to continue what we have started to do because of the pandemic. And to appreciate what we have and each other more. A serious life lesson. However, getting through this will take all of our mental, physical and spiritual strength.
From the movie “Wonder” a Precept: “Be Kind – for everyone is fighting a hard battle – and if you really want to see what people are – all you have to do, is look.”
Keep well. Keep Safe. Keep happy and healthy. Where you always are in my heart.
LOVE! Winnie, the Warrior…….XO – With my COVID-19 companion, Basil. (Below).
