When COVID hit New York City over a year ago now, death was no longer an abstract idea. People we knew were getting really, really sick, a few of them died, a few are still not 100%. When the mobil morgue parked just blocks away from our building to handle the overflow of dead bodies, it marked a turning point for me. This wasn’t some bit of horrifying news that I read or heard about, this was happening and it was happening all around me. At the time I was just starting my YouTube Channel and it hadn’t occurred to me to video tape the empty streets, void of cars and humans. I wish I had, but I didn’t.
Once we had a vaccine and my entire family had been vaccinated, I decided it would be a good time to visit my mother and sister, neither of whom I’d seen in almost two years. It was wonderful to see them after so long. And of course there was the added benefit of being surrounded by dogs…
and flowers…
with lots of great places to take a little walk…
Death brings perspective. None of us are getting out of here alive. Our time is short and it seems to get shorter the closer to the end we get. All the more reason to enjoy things like this bee.
Or the brilliance of these red flowers…
Or the sound of the water rushing over rocks…
or being surrounded by people I love.
I remember the morning after the UK went into lockdown. My son’s stent had just come out from his kidney operation (literally the afternoon before) and we went out for a walk, my daughter and I. We live in an estate that borders on a main road that takes you to an industrial estate (though we’re on the inside of that estate), and the park that I often go to walk in now that I’m learning to leave my house alone, runs alongside a motorway.
It was one of the first times I’d ever heard no traffic on the main road without it being under repair. It was the only time in those first weeks that the motorway wasn’t moderately busy. My partner was working in London later in the year and he sent me photos – exactly as you said, it was eerily empty. I’m pretty sure we’ll have one more event like that before this resolves, in the UK at least. Our government says they don’t’ want to, but….I dunno. I have a feeling we’ll have to get used to doing lockdowns for a bit. And that’s ok, because I do believe it protects the community.
We went to our first event this week since January 2020. I didn’t know whether to be happy or sad – it was definitely a mix of both. So happy to have my community back. But I knew I wasn’t seeing some friends. I wouldn’t be sharing with others, they weren’t there and never would be ever again. But there were new games, and the world was…almost right again, just briefly. I met one of my inspirations, my daughter had a blast. I was a bit scared, but I’m always nervous around crowds, so it was a… different kind of worried, if that makes sense.
I hope you have as wonderful a time as you can and I’m so jealous of the time you’re getting with the dogs 😉 I LOVE dogs.
*hugs*
Thx Kai. Yes, we are not done with this yet and won’t be until people understand how serious it is. This isn’t just going to go away miraculously. I’m home now and though exhausted was glad to have been able to see my mother and sister. I’m glad you and your daughter were able to have a little fun over the weekend. That makes me happy. ❤️
The pandemic hitting and everything shutting down, and the streets void of traffic, all reminded me of 9/11. I remember when that happened, the lack of planes overhead, the fear, and the disbelief. We lived in Alexandria, VA at the time, and not far from the Pentagon. That event brought America together. The pandemic, sadly has helped tear America apart.
It’s wonderful you got to visit your mom and sister, dogs and nature. Big hugs.
Martha.
Thx Martha. Yes, incredible that Covid became all about politics when so many have died. It’s almost as though it doesn’t matter. It makes me sad.
Having lost a dear friend in my early 40’s my motto has always been ‘life is too short’ & I for one was darn sure I would live mine to the full. 25yrs on there has been no change for me there, perhaps even more determined if anything….. lol. If nothing else I hope C-19 has given others the wake up call I was lucky to have had, albeit bitter sweet to receive. There are so many simple pleasures to be had in life, nature, family/friends and beautiful threads amongst them….. enjoy. Hugs C xx
Yes! The simple pleasures can be transformative. I’m sorry about your friend.
I was lucky to live in the country and be healthy. It’s hard to go out again though. At the Mixed Media conference I went to, we all felt that way and unsure of how to act. We did social distance and mask if necessary. A new world and it’s a shame that it has torn the country apart. There are some friends I have to be careful what to say around and that hurts the friendship.
Glad you had a visit with family and the dogs. I live with two and love them so much.
Dogs and animals of any kind really are so healing I always think. Glad you have yours. We would love to have them but NYC isn’t a good place to have dogs, thankfully we have Merlin! ❤️
I lost my husband last year to COVID and so I have had to reinvent myself after being a couple to being one. I think family and friends are the key to seeing the beauty in the world. I have had to always seek those who elevate me and get rid of those people and things that are negative and would bring me down, including the news.
I am so happy that I have found this group so that I can learn new things and feel that I am a useful and informative person who can bring happiness to our world.
Oh Mary. I’m so so sorry. I’m glad the group is helpful. Thank you for being a part of it. Seeing you and your work makes me happy! ❤️❤️
Oh Mary, that’s terrible. I’m so sorry for your loss. Hugs.