Category: Musings (Page 4 of 4)

Dear Covid

Remember me?  I wrote you a couple of months ago, just to let you know that you weren’t intimidating me, and also to make you aware of all the good you have done since you made your appearance.  I thought I’d write you again and let you know how things are going in my part of the world.  By the way, I called you Covid, because I feel we are on a first name basis now.  

Here in Nova Scotia we have heeded the advice of Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang.  They have guided us and made the important decisions with shutting down our beautiful province and gradually re-opening it.  They have done an admiral job and we are very thankful to have them leading the way.  

It is now mandatory for us to wear masks when in public places.  Yes, we hate them but hey, if it keeps us safe, then we’ll put up with the inconvenience until we get use to them.  It’s rather entertaining to see all the different masks that are being used.  Many people have chosen to use the disposal ones, but others are wearing colourful cloth masks.  There are so many people making and selling their products and many are donating the money from their sales to very good causes.  Ah ha…another good thing to come from your existence.  People are making statements with their masks by wearing ones that support their favourite sports teams, or their interests, or just wearing colourful fabric masks.   I’ve seen Montreal Canadians, Toronto Maple Leafs (these have likely disappeared now), Boston Bruins, Harley Davidson, knitting, paisley print, polka dots and many more designs.  Another common mask is those made from tartan material.  I love seeing the Cape Breton tartan, Nova Scotia tartan and the Maple Leaf tartan being worn and showing allegiance to our Scottish ancestry.  Personally I love to colour co-ordinate my mask to whatever I am wearing.  You see, wearing a mask can also be a fashion statement and it can be fun. 

I just had the most enjoyable weekend.  I travelled to my brother’s place in Bedford.  We have not been able to visit since you reared your ugly head.  By the way, you can stop laughing now because it really isn’t funny.  Mom and I spent two amazing days with him and Greg. A gorgeous cardinal welcomed us, only minutes after arriving. We both love cardinals and that was the first sign of what our weekend would be like.  We laughed, talked, read, watched the squirrels in the oak trees and dodged the acorns they threw down on the deck.   We sat on the deck in the sun and out of the sun.  We cooked and we ate.  But most of all we just enjoyed being in one another’s company.  At one point I lifted my head from my iPad and looked at Mom, who was reading, then I looked at Sandy and Greg who were surfing on their phones and I thought, “what more could I want?”.  The answer is nothing.  I was with the most important people in my life.  Covid, you have made me, and many others, realize just what is important in life and what isn’t. 

As I made the three hour drive to Bedford and back, I saw many vehicles from Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Newfoundland/Labrador.  This is the Atlantic bubble and people within these provinces can travel back and forth and not have to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.  The tourism sector is definitely missing the tourists from other parts of Canada, the US and around the world, but it is all about keeping us safe from YOU.  The traffic was heavy, maybe heavier than I’ve seen before.  It is comforting to know that many people are staying home and having what we know as staycations.  People are discovering they don’t have to travel to points far and wide to have a wonderful vacation.  They are realizing there is so much to do and see in our own province ,and in Atlantic Canada.  There were so many vehicles with kayaks and bikes being transported.  There were also MANY travel trailers of all types going and coming.  How amazing to see so many traveling and enjoying the trails, camp grounds, waterways and highways of Nova Scotia. Oh Covid, you continue to be such a positive wake up call to so many.  Thank you for that.  

Those in the know believe you will be paying us a second visit, but it is unknown as to exactly when that will be.  Just to advise you, the welcome mat will not be out for you ever.  In fact, why don’t you listen to Premier McNeil and ‘stay to blazes home’.  In other words, stay to blazes away and just don’t bother coming back.  But if you do, we are already on board with shutting down again.  We did a great job the first time around, so I expect the second time we will be even better.  My advice, just don’t waste your time messing with us again.  

Covid, you have caused chaos; there is no doubt about that.  You have made it very difficult for those who have, and had, terminally ill family members.  And not necessarily terminally ill from having you invade their bodies.  You have prevented family from being with their loved ones during their most vulnerable time.  That is pitiful.  You have caused ceremonies for deceased to be put on hold, therefore bringing no closure to the families of those who have passed.  I just want to advise you that when those celebrations of life are finally held, they will be even more meaningful and important to all.  

I hope this letter finds you reconsidering your existence.  As you can see, we are coping quite well.  You, on the other hand, have been kicked to the curb, for the time being and hopefully for good.  We are a very welcoming and open society, but only when we can trust, and with you, there is no trust.  This is very unlike us to be so uncaring, but you ruffled our feathers big time.  

Yours in continued isolation but gradually re-entering our world, 

Hughena MacDougall

Dundee, NS

PS…I haven’t gone for a haircut yet, because of you, but guess what?  I’m liking the new do and so are many others.  

Some of you may have already read this, as I initially posted it on Facebook.  I’ll post here as well, for those not on Facebook.  This is the longer, original version, which was in the Reporter newspaper (local paper) and a shorter version appeared in the Cape Breton Post as a column.

Dear Covid-19

Yes, you have caused chaos. You have caused fear and anxiety. You have caused sickness and death. But do you know what else you have caused? You have caused everyone to just slow down and smell the flowers. You have made people realize that material things don’t really matter, but love of family and friends is most important. You have caused many of us to declutter and downsize because it is just ‘stuff’ and holds no value. You have given us time to reconnect with family by playing games, reading, watching movies, working and playing outdoors, with the ones most dear to us. Children are connecting to their parents, which had been a lost art for several decades because work got in the way. They are sharing quality time together through cooking, music, art, common interests, etc. and maybe they are creating common interests they didn’t know existed. Parents are realizing it isn’t so easy being a teacher and have gained more respect for those trained in the teaching profession. We have all gained more respect for front line and essential workers. Acts of kindness, that would have been taken for granted, are now appreciated so much more than ever before. You have made me enjoy, even more, the little things in life like the feeling of amazement while observing the small red buds form on the trees and gradually burst into a beautiful leaf; like the feeling of excitement watching the birds return from their winter vacations; like feeling so encouraged, by a kind remark, about how well my yard looks, like the feeling of love and compassion from being with my Mom, and best friend, daily, and like the feeling of love when we received a care package from my brother and his partner.

You know what else Covid, we are finding humour where it didn’t exist before. We are laughing at our hair styles, or lack there of, when perhaps we stressed over such a little thing before. People who colour their hair are now making fun of the new striping patterns that are emerging. I look like a sheep dog, with my long shaggy hair, but I’m embracing it and with apologies to my hairdresser, I don’t believe I’ll get it cut, even when I can. People are also having in depth conversations with their Fitbit, microwave and other objects, they would normally ignore. While others have introduced themselves and have developed a personal relationship with their refrigerator.

I have never disliked dandelions, but I have really been embracing the brilliant yellow flower this spring, and have enjoyed watching the bumblebees flitter and flutter from one blossom to another. I’d normally be too engrossed in other things to pay much attention, but this slow down in life has been amazing. And watching the flight of the hummingbirds, if one is able to follow, as they dive around the yard from one resting place to another, in between gulps of their sweet liquid. As I type, I’m listening to the symphony of rain as it comes down on the roof and flows down the gutter; rain that is so needed in these crinkly dry times. It is also, washing the leaves as they spring forth on the white birch, and many maple trees. It is simply beautiful.

Oh Covid, you have opened our eyes to a world that was passing us by. You have opened our ears to sweet sounds we heard, but never listened to. You have opened our mouths to conversations we should have been having with our loved ones, but never had time to say. You have opened our noses to fragrances that have forever filled the air, but that we never smelled before. And you have opened our palate to tastes for the first time, as we prepare new and interesting foods. Thank you Covid.

Covid, I am not diminishing the affect you have had on society. And I am also not making light of the deaths you have caused, not in the least. One death, would have been one too many, and you have caused thousands. But I am a firm believer that with everything bad that happened because of this virus, even more good will come forward. You might have us in Time Out right now, but we are a resilient species and when we emerge, we will be stronger than ever. You do not consume me, Covid. You many dictate what I can and cannot do at this time, but no, you DO NOT consume me. In fact, there are days I don’t even think about you. Why? Because I am too busy enjoying the little things in life; bees, birds, nature, budding trees, flowers, family, friends checking in, rainy days, sunshine, music, knitting, creating, and so much more. How do you like that?

So, yes, Covid, you are a despicable. And you might think you are winning the war, but you are barely leading this battle at present. A battle in which we will overtake you eventually. We, HUMANS, will win the war.

Yours in continued isolation,

Hughena MacDougall

Dundee, NS