Saturday again….how has your week been? Filled with anxiety, stress, news of Corona (without a lime to clarify) financial worries, safety worries and the list goes on…. I know this has been a trying time. I said in a social media post that this virus will effect us all. If not physically than emotionally, financially, spiritually, sanity and our over all wellbeing. We are just in the beginning stages of this and that is scary and overwhelming. We may not know someone who is sick YET, but we know someone who has been furloughed, who hasn’t been able to find groceries, who hasn’t been able to have the PPE to protect themselves. We know parents being teachers and workers who have to work and be sure class work is done. College kids home early, 2 dear friends changing their much anticipated weddings, and we know health care workers, truckers, grocers, people that impact our life and the list goes on.
Here at my house we are trying to do our part. I work in healthcare and am still blessed to go to work. I know that sounds crazy but it is true. I am still working and trying to do what I can for patients and my family and my employer. My son works his part time job and my daughter is home from college. We go to work, the grocery store and home. We are practicing social distancing. We are just the 3 of us. It hit me a bit harder today. We had to run to get some string for our weedeater (I know not bread and milk but needed for yard maintenance) and we drove by to check on my mom. Mind you we didn’t go in her house, we didn’t get out of the car. We waved and talked with a distance in between. That was hard. Not being able to hug your mom and feel her arms give you that bit of strength and you to her. My son was ready to run in her house and I told him he couldn’t. She needs to stay well. This virus doesn’t announce ‘hey here I come’ it just can hit someone out of the blue. My sister lives with her so she isn’t alone but it is just different. My dad died 7 months ago. He would have been out there trying to rake leaves and work outside and she would be inside cooking or cleaning and checking on him (this would have been before his lung cancer diagnosis). If he was still here, she would work herself to death combating any germ that would try to enter to protect him. Now we try to protect her and keep her well. And keeping her well means keeping a distance. But how she is missed. And how my dad is as well. He was never a hugger to us kids, it was a hug/pat combo with those big bear like hands (my fingers look just like my dads, I know doesn’t sound feminine and mine aren’t bear like, we just have thick fingers). Guess he has been on my mind alot more recently as his birthday is next week and he has been showing up in my dreams alot more lately. Not saying much during those dreams but there. But back to social distancing and lack of human contact.
That made me think how sad it is for those that are devoid of human contact. The lack of physical connection, and not just sexual even though that is a big deal (no pun intended) but limited contact. Physical contact releases seratonin, the feel good hormone, all kinds of hormones are released with varying degrees of physical contact and stimuli. To know that is gone for some people is truly sad. This enforced social distancing effects alot of our lives. Even for the biggest introvert, this is hard. So I talk to my mom through the car window as I haven’t seen her in almost 3 weeks. She and my sister holding down their fort while I hold mine down. We are following all the guidelines of social distancing and it is hard but we know life is hard. That hug from a coworker, the pat on the arm, that hug and so sweet kiss from a partner (not everyone lives together) the get togethers with families and friends. This time of year started family stuff for us….Dad’s birthday, Easter, my son’s birthday, my birthday, summer and the list goes on. We are so blessed with the technology we have currently. Think about when our young men were shipped off to war. Your letter may arrive from your son saying life was grand on the same day that the chaplain and officers came to inform you your son died. No facetime, no drive by chats. So in that instance we are very lucky. But it is also hard. Someone 10 minutes away can still feel a ocean away. I think of the little people in nursing homes and see the heart warming yet heart breaking videos of no contact and talking through windows. I hear the concer and fear in my patient’s voices, I hear my own concerns and my anxiety. Our world changed after 9/11 and there will be a change after this as well. I hope and pray a better change. One that takes us back to front porches and Sunday dinners and moments that are simple. Just a thought. And one more…..when this is all said and done, if I never have to use the words social distancing I will not be mad about it!
I am not perfect in all that I do but am trying hard and this is a scary time in all our lives. For those of us that are huggers, this is torture not to reach out. For those that haven’t been hugged in a long time, I am so sorry. For those that still have to work, shop, survive, I know you are doing your very best to keep the spread of this virus at bay. Stay home people. Be thankful you have a roof over your head to come home to. Stay in touch with those that mean the most to you and even the ones that dry hump your last nerve! We all are missing things and most importantly people in our lives. Let those people know you love them no matter what. Wash your hands, stay safe!! Think of that day when you can hug those people in your life. As a nurse, I pat people’s arms, hug them when they cry or happy– this is torture for us that know how important touch is as I am a firm believer in the healing touch. Torture not only professionally but personally. If we each can do our part to control our urges and wants (some are better at this than others) and we follow directions as more than just a suggestion, just maybe we can get through this. And for those giving into urges, just realize there are alot of other viruses out there too like Chlamydia and her friends. That we don’t barricade ourselves in a bunker of no emotion, no sunshine, and let all contact be lost, but we stay in touch in the ways we can to those we love. That we look forward to the day of hugs and gatherings and that we not take one of those moments for granted. That we make the most of each day and take those hugs when we can get them. I miss hugs alot lol.
So people stay home! Stay clean, stay in touch with others the best you can. We are such a mobile society that this is making everyone slow down. Love on the people under the same roof and try to take care of each other. I myself am getting ready to clean bathrooms and change sheets and hang out with my kids for a bit before I succumb to sleep. Maybe my dad will show up in my dreams again and give me one of those hug/pats and my mom will be able to receive the hugs we have missed giving. I may not be able to physically touch anyone, but if I can be a support emotionally….well I am all ears and sending you a virtual hug like no other. Stay strong, do not grow weary, pray for healing of our land, pray for each other and show love the best you can. Maybe we should label this Stay Strong Saturday!!!
