COURAGEOUS, CHECK.
OUTRAGEOUS, NOT SO MUCH.
So, what have you been doing with your beautiful life for the past couple of months? Did you get that book written, that cupboard cleared out, that plan for the rest of your life completed? Or were you like me? I ran out of books to read, never mind written.
I did discover that I love to read out loud. And I have a willing listener in my housemate. I range from rereading Harry Potter to medieval tales from the 13th century. The other good news: I learned of wonderful new places to walk in Victoria. I live with a friend who adores walking and managed to convince this couch potato that walking is good for me. So, I am potentially healthier than I was when the pandemic began.
I know I am blessed to live where I live, and I am grateful. My courageous and outrageous life has had to take a back seat for the time being. It also looks like I will not be travelling much beyond Vancouver Island for the next while. I do look forward to the day when I can again meet and trade ideas with some of the residents of our local seniors’ residences. I am sure we all have many stories to share with each other.
Yesterday, I got my first haircut in three months. My hair grows quickly, and I hadn’t bothered to add any purple to it. I was unrecognizable when I arrived at the salon. So, not only did I shed about three pounds of hair, I also have some snazzy colour back in my life.
What I learned over these months, as I’m sure you did as well, is that we are stronger than we thought, more resilient than we knew, and more able to withstand just about anything that is thrown at us. We are even able to adapt and follow the arrows in the grocery stores. Well, some of us can.
There is a good chance this virus will not disappear in the next couple of months, so the most courageous thing we can do is make the decision not to be outrageous for the next while. Listen to the experts, like Dr. Bonnie Henry: no wild parties with several hundred of your closest friends; and wear a mask when asked to. I have started wearing a scarf. If I don’t have a mask with me, it easily pulls up over my nose and mouth.
Remember what your mother told you, wash your hands often. And, for now, save the hugs for later. Stay well, my friends.
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Pat Nichol is a speaker and published author. Connect with her at mpatnichol@gmail.com.
I am so grateful to have this all back in our lives! Looking forward to seeing you at one of those seniors centres in the near future.