Welcome back to SOLO at SIXTY!
Or is it “My Corona”? I know…cheesy, but still… How chaotic has your life been this past week? Do you know anyone who has contracted or has been exposed to the coronavirus? So far, that answer is no for me. But I know it is not long until that changes. And I dread that day.
“It’s a delicate walk to balance hope with chaos.” Stacie Martin
Our 12 clubs closed their doors last week and I opted to work from home. Week one of working from home in the books. Gosh I miss my team. I miss our camaraderie, joking around, sharing our lives. I also miss my goldfish snacks and my diet Dr. Pepper. I know, I know, I could buy them for home (unlike toilet paper) but it wouldn’t be the same. Those are my “work snacks”.
“Critical Advisory: 8 pm is the official time to remove your day pajamas and to put your night pajamas on.”
I went to the office last Thursday (Day 2) to pick up a file I needed, and to go for a run downtown. It’s my favorite route and I needed some continuity in my upside-down life. Had a great run in 80 degrees – tank top weather. Met very few people along the way as the university is closed, as are most restaurants and stores, especially those near the university. No students, no business. Our downtown pedestrian mall, which is normally bustling with people, was pretty quiet too, though there were some patrons supporting our restaurants, eating take out in small groups outside. It was, after all, the first day of spring. A very quiet first day of spring.
Friday, Day 3 of working from home, was another beautiful, warm day. Kept my back porch door open and even worked on my porch for part of the day. Hallmark Christmas movie marathon began at noon – nice company to my new, very quiet home office life. Late afternoon, I decided I needed to get out, so I walked from my house to our closest club (which has now been closed for 5 days). 2 miles there, 2 miles back. I was having withdrawal symptoms, missing my club, the place I visited every day, and the people I saw every day. Felt like a relationship break up (experienced that before!) where you are together one day, and the next, all contact cut off. Not a car in the parking lot. Such a sad sight. This is when you have to have faith that life will return to normal, whatever normal is, at some point.
“Let your faith be bigger than your fear.”
I am missing my normal, including my normal workouts and classes. Since I am limited to running only 2-3 times a week, I am doing a lot of walking on the other days. Met a friend and walked 5 miles with her, making sure we stayed about 6 feet apart. Funny thing, neither of us hear very well so we ended up yelling to each other across the sidewalk! Good to catch up with friends during this time, one on one of course. I am also getting a lot more sleep since I am not getting up for those 6 am classes. But I miss them. And my gym teachers and friends. I miss the simple act of hugging. The struggle is real for huggers y’all. I miss dinners out with friends, visits to wineries with wine tastings. I miss being with my family, and so thankful I have one of my kids here with me. I want to see my Momma – I don’t want her to forget who I am.
“That moment when you’re worried about the elderly and realize you are the elderly.”
We are all missing our friends and family, and are trying to find ways to stay connected. My son set up a video chat for my kids and me. It was great to see everyone on the screen and catch up. My nephew facetimes us so that we can see Izzie walking now, and Jack being his fun, sweet self. My sisters and I have a constant text stream going along with phone calls and some facetiming. My Mom’s Assisted Living facetimes us several times a week so that we can see our sweet Momma and talk to her. They also post pictures of the residents on their FB page so we get to see Mom (and her friends) in action. Technology is amazing y’all. So thankful for it.
“Keep in touch with those who matter to you not because it’s convenient, but because they’re worth the extra effort.”
This week our Governor cancelled schools for the rest of this academic year. Parents are discovering how much they appreciate their children’s teachers and schools. This means no prom, no 8th grade dance, no graduation ceremonies, no senior nights for spring sports. My heart breaks for these kids and their parents. Those were all such special times in each of my kids’ lives that they (and I) cherished.
“Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?” Runi
Who knows what our lives are going to be like tomorrow, next week, next month? This weekend I was supposed to run a 5k with my younger daughter in Charlotte, the Get Your Rear in Gear – Charlotte benefitting the Colon Cancer Coalition. We were running in support and honor of a couple of friends who are battling this awful cancer. Needless to say, it has been cancelled. We were very disappointed, but understand. So instead, my younger daughter came to Charlottesville to hang out with her momma. Life goes on and we will run it next year.
“Relax, Recharge and Reflect. Sometimes it’s OK to do nothing.” Izey Victoria Odiase
Let’s all make the most of this time at home, especially if you are lucky enough to be with family. I am one of the lucky ones. My daughter is working on my kitchen bar and I moved to my dining room table. We each have headphones in, listening to our own music or podcasts while we work from home. Every now and then we see or hear something funny and share it. But I am trying REALLY hard not to drive her crazy, at least until work is done for the day. Then it’s a glass of wine, dinner, and a movie. And talking! Charlotte is shut down for 3 weeks. I plan to make the most of all the time I can get with this child. And continue facetiming with my other kids, my family, and friends. Gonna make the most of this new (hopefully temporary) normal, because as we all know, none of us is promised tomorrow.
Best,
Leslie
PS… Did you know that this week, the 4th week of March, is National Spring Cleaning Week? I kid you not. What a perfect time to clean out cabinets, closets, drawers, you name it, since we are homebound for the foreseeable future. Let the cleaning begin!
SOLO at SIXTY 