I realize I haven’t been writing as much lately as I’ve been caught up in the all-consuming daily anxiety from COVID-19. We’re living through a crazy time that mostly feels like it should be a bad dream or a post-apocalyptic horror film. There is too much going on and I honestly struggle with my day to day life and new normal of working from home with two small kids and a husband that is in Chicago half the time.
I read somewhere how selfish it is to mourn and miss things as people are dying and extremely ill, and the essential workers in multiple fields are working long hours, dealing with the fact that they too can catch this because people refuse to just stay home and allow the virus to stop latching on. But is it wrong that I’m sad because I miss baseball?
I think it’s a good thing to grieve right now. The entire world is going through something completely unimaginable. People I know are losing their jobs, canceling and postponing their weddings, birthday parties, family vacations, plans to visit with their sick parents, grandparents and friends. People are dying alone in hospitals. Mental health is declining because we’re all being asked to stay in and in some situations people could be with an abusive partner or parent. Kids can’t go to school and for many, that was their escape. School was their guaranteed meal for the day, or guaranteed attention. For many, it’s hard to balance working from home and taking care of children, pets, spouses while trying to get 8 hours of work in and stay sane and healthy.
Many of the luxuries everyone previously had are gone. There is no more happy hour with your friends after a long work week (unless it’s virtual), most parks are closed because playgrounds are often a breeding ground for germs anyway, no more date nights at your favorite restaurant, no more sports either live or in-person. There is a whole lot of nothing in terms of things that keep us all from going a little crazy. It is a sad and scary time.
So please grieve if you need to. Be sad that your dream wedding no longer has a date, your graduation has been canceled or that surprise 50th birthday party for your coworker has been canceled. I’m sad that my kids can’t see their friends throughout the week. I’m sad for their teachers that hadn’t planned for the school year to end this way. I’m sad that one thing that always brings me happiness, baseball and hockey, are just gone and probably won’t be back this year. I’m sad for my friends and family that work in the medical field, for a grocery store, food industry or are teachers. I’m sad and scared about a lot of things and doing the best I can to not stay in a dark place.
Just please do all of this inside so we can get rid of this horrible virus that has impacted everyone. And listen to the CDC, not your daily White House briefings.