I’m pretty sure I am not alone in finding it unbelievable that a year after the first shelter in place order, we are still mostly staying home, still dealing with a pandemic, still wondering when it will all be over. While we wait for answers and vaccines I want to take some time to reflect on the silver linings of the past year.
People – I realized how much I need other people. I rediscovered the joy of a phone call with a friend or family member. I found that I made time for FaceTime or Zoom calls with people who don’t live near me, connecting with those who I may have been too busy to stay in touch with. I spent a lot of quality time with my grown children, more than we would have under normal times. I found ways to enjoy friends outdoors, on the trails, at parks, or around the fire pit. I love the way people sewed masks for others, cheered on the front line workers, supported local businesses.
Nature – I found that a daily walk, hike or bike ride soothes the soul as well as provide exercise, a much more enjoyable routine than going to the gym. I discovered new trails, used the time for meditation and in the process got more physically fit than I have been in a long time.
Celebrations – I enjoyed seeing the new ways people celebrated birthdays, graduations and other special events. The drive by graduation ceremonies warmed my heart last spring. Instead of a birthday celebration in Napa, my husband put on an “Around the world” wine tasting for our daughter right in the backyard. We “traveled” from Champagne to Tuscany to Napa to Bordeaux, a birthday she will never forget. Instead of a 30th birthday party for our son, his fiancé planned a scavenger hunt around San Francisco with videotaped clues from family and friends. Instead of a 60th bash for my husband, I created a scrapbook with messages from everyone in his life, which is something he will cherish far beyond the pandemic. Instead of a New Year’s Eve party, we sent off “A Party in a Box” to be enjoyed during our Zoom party with Quarantini supplies so all the guests could create their own cocktail and share in the games. Others have created game nights, Zoom baby showers, Trivia nights and so many other unique ways to be together to celebrate a year’s worth of milestones.
Downtime – With fewer places to go, I have completed every home project that was on the back burner list, from cleaning out closets to repairs to gardening and journaling. Most days I enjoy the slower pace.
It has not been an easy year, but yet there are many memories that would never have happened, many relationships that grew stronger, many simple pleasures that I can look back on some day as the silver linings of living through the Covid-19 pandemic. I invite you to share your thoughts about the past year. Email me at knavolio@bestversionmedia.com.
By Kara Navolio, Resident since 1991