In the Midst of Confinement, is Social Comfort
I don’t remember what I was doing, or where I was doing it when the COVID-19 virus took over all of our lives. We now sit in our home, with our three girls – McKinley 7, Maggie 4, and Mia 18 months, unemployed, and unsure.
A few days ago, I discovered my job with the Y, a job I have worked passionately for the last six years, can no longer be supported. The financial impact will be difficult as time passes, but fortunately Mike and I have saved over the years and have a cushion. However, the emotional impact of it will be an open wound for a while. The family I have known and the work I have contributed to, for a while will now only exist at a distance.
The outlet of fitness and community is now available only through social media. I’m thankful for that of course, and the instructors who are giving of their time to help support and encourage our community to stay well during this time. I just never imagined at 35 that I would be unemployed. That my husband would be filing for unemployment right next to me. It is surreal to say the least.
The girls are handling the situation better than expected. As busy and demanding as they typically are to have play dates and see their friends and go do all the things, they somehow seem to comprehend what is going on around us. McKinley appears to understand better than I do.
In the last few days when I went to the Y to finish up before closing our doors, she expressed no interest in going. She has accepted that we cannot be out in the community. She understands that it isn’t safe. Therefore, she doesn’t want to be a part of it. Her maturity surprises me sometimes.
It is not all doom and gloom though. Some days, we embrace the togetherhood we have as family and as a community. We do some school work to keep our skills fresh – daily reading and writing practice and math facts. We also do some crafts and activities we have never done before, stepping out of our normal routine to keep things interesting. We get more involved in chalk on the back deck and take longer walks to enjoy the fresh air.
And yes, we take advantage of screen time – but not by watching hours of movies, by connecting with our friends. Several individuals in the Wabash Valley are taking time out of their days to share their talents. One such individual is Rachel Williams, a local librarian – known to t the community (per her own designation) as “The World’s Ok’est Librarian”. Rachel shares stories, songs, and fun activities for kids on her private YouTube page. My girls have grown to love her quirky anecdotes and animated tales during their breakfast and lunch time. It’s educational and gives them a sense of connection to the world. Rachel goes as far as calling out the names of children participants during her songs which makes the girls feel as though they’re a part of the activity. It’s nothing short of magical during these isolated times.
I have seen several fitness programs provide free services for a 30- or 60-day time period. MOSSA Move, an online class provider that the YMCA utilizes, has offered two months free of at-home workouts ranging from strength training to dance fitness. The Y is also streaming live classes to members to help those individuals feel a sense of community during their exercising and to encourage them to stay active. It can be easy, especially for some of our senior members, to feel lonely and allow the isolation to get the best of you. Fitness live on social media is one way to continue to stay in touch with your people.
Many companies during this time of sky rocketed unemployment and shutdowns have posted opportunities that have opened up due to increased demand. Places like Walmart, Kroger, Sam’s Club, etc. are bringing on additional team members for unloading and stocking. Even though this may not be ideal work for community members who were in specific professions up until a month ago, having any source of income during this time is better than none.
At my low points, which – in big thanks to the Y social fitness posts and my three rug rats - have been few, I try to remember a key phrase my grandmother used to say – “This too shall pass.” And it will, community friends. We will look back on this one day and, although we may not laugh, we will reflect, and we will be stronger for it. We may learn to plan better. We may learn to save better. We won’t take our lives, our jobs, a thriving economy for granted. We will take the leap, we will take the jump, we will live every day to its fullest – and still remember to put away a few dollars each week. This will not be for nothing.
Thank you to those who are putting their lives on the line right now. Thank you to those who are fighting to keep their employees on payroll and their companies afloat. Thank you to the first responders, researchers and medical professionals doing everything they can to beat COVID-19. Stay strong. We will beat this thing and we will be stronger for it. Be well Wabash Valley.