™

Heartwings Love Notes 941 - Little Things Gone Missing

Heartwings says, "It's only after they're gone that you realize how much you miss life's little pleasures.

The daily and weekly routines Stephen and I once had, have been lost to the Covid 19 virus. Things we took for granted--trips to the library, going to the movies, eating in restaurants, have all been sacrificed to our safety. We must avoid exposing ourselves to a virus that can take your life with one simple breath. This is like nothing I have ever experienced. I find it remarkable how my life has changed from what it was a mere few months ago. If you had told me last fall what my life would be like today, I might not have believed you.

I do remember summers of polio when I was a child. Prior to the vaccine that eradicated poliomyelitis, many children succumbed to it. There are still adults today with polio crippled legs. One of my sixth grade classmates caught it. As I recall he was paralyzed and placed in an iron lung. One parent I knew wouldn't let her children drink any water that wasn't bottled and even made them brush their teeth with bottled water. We were supposed to avoid the beach also, though I am not sure why. Perhaps it was for the same reason we avoid crowds today for fear of Covid 19.

Losing our small pleasures is an insignificant price to pay for staying safe. Wearing a mask in public is a courtesy Stephen and I are glad to practice. It is like saying, "I care about you, stranger, and I want us both to stay safe. How long will it be before Stephen and I go to a movie theater again? I have no idea and I won't even try to guess. The Spanish flu of 1918 took many lives and lingered even into i920. My own grandfather died of it, and my grandmother, as was the custom, wore black for seven years. My mother told me that was the reason my father never wanted her ever to wear black.

It is strange to me that the tenor of our days has so altered. Before the onset of Covid 19, My life held few surprises. I never thought twice about going to the library or to a movie—and suddenly, I no longer could. Fortunately for us, Stephen has collected a quantity of videos and we could even make our own popcorn if we wanted. Yet I have come to understand that it's not the film but the experience: going to the theater, sitting with others laughing or weeping, that I miss. When the day comes that we can mingle freely, without face coverings or fear, I will rejoice. Until then, while I may mourn my missing enjoyments, I'll not risk my life for them.

May you stay safe in this dangerous time, taking proper precautions and being thankful.

PS Do you remember Polio? How are you passing the time you used to spend differently? I do so love to hear from readers. Your emails make my day.
 

I love to hear from readers and would be honored if you would comment and let me know any suggestions or thoughts. If a friend sent you this, you can sign up at my web site, www.heartwingslovenotes.com, where more love notes can be found in the archives.

Blessings and Best Regards,
Tasha Halpert
 

← Back to Heartwings (Index Page)

   - Click here to print this page

Prev|Next