At a recent work event, we traded “where were you when…” stories.
Heretofore, the biggest “where were you when” of my generation was September 11th. (And, for the record, I had just touched down in London for a work trip. I arrived at my hotel, turned on the TV, stumbled on footage of airplanes flying into the World Trade Center, and tried frantically to dial somebody–anybody–back home in the states…to no avail.) This game of “where were you when” was different. This version was “where were you when the world as we knew it shut down in 2020?”
- Where were you when you found out your property was forced to close?
- Where were you when your state issued shelter-in-place orders?
- Where were you when it became painfully clear that millions of people were about to find themselves unemployed?
Newsflash: we are about to annualize all of the above. And I legit don’t know how to feel.
I’m optimistic. As of two days ago, over 100 million vaccine doses have been administered. Congress passed a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package last week. The number of new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have plummeted and continue to decline. More directly, business volumes in the gaming and hospitality industries are increasing and we’re gearing up accordingly. I’m genuinely excited to see restrictions lifted and to welcome back customers and team members alike.
At the same time, I’m weary. Almost 30 million cases have been reported in the U.S. since February 20, 2020. Over half a million deaths. Also, we are wrestling with the “pandemics within the pandemic”–the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on working women and communities of color. First, I sit squarely at that intersection. Full stop. Second, my family, friends, professional networks, and team members are all hanging out in the intersection as well. And I’ve spent the last year hyper-aware of the same.
Oh So That’s Where You’ve Been
Not to mention that all of this hit close to home. Literally–my home. As in my entire household contracted COVID as well as some extended family–to include my father’s hospitalization and continued recovery. My husband has recovered but is still not 100%–random bouts of fatigue linger. My lung capacity is questionable–I’m winded now where I wasn’t before. True test will be when I get my tail back in the gym. Which needs to be soon because…sanity.
So…Your Point Is?
This time a year ago I was preparing to shut down a property. And trying to figure out what shelter-in-place meant. And spazzing about toilet paper. And Clorox wipes. Now, I’m working on fully standing a business back up. And getting vaccinated. And finding a house (yes, still because…pandemic). And figuring out if the Grace-Pope crew has antibodies because the last two months taught me tomorrow isn’t promised and I need to prioritize differently. Next up–time with grandparents.
What Now?
It has been a year. An unrelenting, long arse, unprecedented year. And, while we are not out of the woods, there’s light at the end of this tunnel. For those, like me, who need a little nitro for the gas tank to get over that finish line, I offer up the following meditation stirring in my spirit:
But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31
For us weary souls–hold on. You will walk. You will run. You will soar.
Next?
The last 365 days have changed us. All of us. And, hopefully, for the better. I encourage you to reflect on what you’ve learned from the last year, how you’ve grown, and how you will live and move differently going forward.
eom
PS: enjoy this montage of pics from initial shutdown. You know…when we all thought it was going to take two weeks to flatten the curve and then we’d get back to life as we knew it. (*side eye*)
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