I often think about how life has changed forever since COVID-19…

I wake up squeezed and entangled between my Ultimate Concierge and our pooch, America. They are breathing in unison and ever so softly; each one in deep sleep. I struggle to untangle myself as quietly as possible so I don’t disturb them and… it worked! Why am I up? The moaning sounds of ambulances racing to Northwestern Hospital, just a few blocks from my apartment in the sky. I think to myself, “I hope whoever is in there will be just fine.”

I walk into the kitchen, open the cabinet door that houses our coffee mugs from all over the world, and decide to sort them. There is Monet’s Garden, Manet’s flowers, LBJ’s museum, The Met, Monmarte, Chicago, The Black Dog, Dubai, etc… I find a cup sent to me by a friend that reads, “Find Joy in Each Day” and I reach for it. With a fresh cup of coffee in my hand, I walk into my office and begin to write my story, and stop to take a photo of my mug. I look at the photo and smile, remembering why each speaks to me and remains a loved possession. For the moment I have left Elsewhere and traveled back in time. I am certain you have your own meaningful treasures that speak to you and touch that cord called joy.

During the months of isolation in Elsewhere, it is soothing to have memories of love and friendship surround you. What you love represents who you are and lights up what is meaningful to you.

Find Joy in Each Day

Here are several things I find joy in that I keep around me, always…

A Chanel flower I took off a gift box and put on my computer; because I am an ardent admirer of beauty. A Christofle tray given to me by my French girlfriend, Florence; a silver heart (years old) that says, “You are as sweet as Honey” from my firstborn grandson, Robbie; a tiny turquoise stone I removed from a thank you note envelope and saved from my granddaughter Skylar, whose eyes are the same color; a glass box given to me by my favorite Aunt Essie; a rock from Israel brought home to me from the same grandson; a seashell from Nantucket given to me fifteen years ago by a woman who picked seashells each morning by the shore; two gifts from my daughter, Jenny; a plaque that reads Queen and a weather gage; my favorite photo of my Ultimate concierge, and lastly…

The large magic wand that was given to me by a close Hawaiian friend that I wave over each person when they come into our office, to guard and protect them. And, behind me on shelves are all loving tokens of friendship and love given to me by those who I hold close to my heart. Seeing all my treasure each day lifts my spirit during this time in all of our lives.

Back to the Real World

As I ponder the enormity of the changes we are living through in Elsewhere, it has not escaped me that each life of an American will never return to what it was. My innocence has turned into reality and I am bereaved at the loss of what was. Our normal American lifestyle will not return when the Virus leaves. Why?

Many citizens of our great country don’t realize that the Liberalism we knew is not the Liberalism of today. Today’s liberalism is the Democratic Socialists of America. We will all learn about it no matter which party wins because it is not going to go away. Stay tuned, and do remember that the ideas this marvelous country of ours is based on is exceptional and worthy of our protection.

The Lockdown

Think about the lockdown. Not only are we locked down but events are locked down, businesses are locked down, schools are locked down, life as we knew it is on lockdown. The changes in Elsewhere took no time; seven months. We went from an interactive society with people, places, and things to a society of interacting with everything on our computers! Sure, technology was part of our lives but no longer. Technology is now the center of our lives. Mark my words, when the COVID-19 siege ends, we will enter a new age and it will not be like the normal age we left.

What reason does a business have to exist when people have gotten used to working at home? Why go to a movie theatre when we can watch anything we want and with fresh popcorn made at home? Does this mean cities will empty out? Will we watch concerts on Zoom as musicians stay at home and will we shop online for everything?

And, masks! Will they go away, ever? Last night, my Ultimate Concierge and I were sitting on a bench in our lobby waiting for my mom. Six masked ‘bandits’, three couples, who live in our building had to walk past us and I was in shock but overjoyed that they recognized us and said hello. I turned to my husband and said, “Do you know who they were?” He said, “No, do you?” “No,” I answered back. When I do recognize someone I am emotionally charged!

Defenses Are Up

I notice people are getting upset over issues at home, online, on the phone, or in text messages over things that normally don’t upset them. I think it is because we are isolated, hate seeing riots, fires set purposely, screaming at press conferences, guns, and even murder. This is all unnerving and puts fear into normal people.

And then there are the ambulances, fire trucks, and police cars prowling my neighborhood that I know the sounds of now. How sad.

I have always said to myself in a nonchalant manner that this to shall pass. Pass it will, but how and where will it land? One thing is certain; Life will not be the same.

In order to stay upbeat, I tell myself that change can be for the better, and maybe even… good?

Let me know your thoughts about how life has changed since COVID-19 in the comments at the bottom of this page. I want to hear from you!

 

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