Ms. Bear on Ponderings During a Pandemic

If you’re like us, then you’ve probably been practicing social distancing as much as you can for the last week. These are scary times, friends, and my mom wanted to write some thoughts down — for herself, for us and for future generations. So, here’s Ms. Bear with some ponderings during a pandemic…

Is anyone else feeling disoriented and a bit surreal? I sure am. Sometimes during the day, I forget about COVID-19, but then it hits me when I least expect it. I feel that I can only think about it so much before I have to do something else. It’s downright scary! Who would have thought a few short weeks ago that we would all be quarantined in our houses? Heck, I couldn’t even spell quarantined before this all happened — spell check just autocorrected it for me!

So, I keep thinking, trying to make sense of what the whole world, literally, is going through right now. It causes a bit of a hurricane in my brain as I try to think about it. I can narrow down my thoughts to a few lessons I am taking with me along the way…

1. As Mr. Rogers always said, “Look for the helpers.”

These are the folks who still report to work, even though it is dangerous for them to do so. They are out there taking care of the sick, stocking the shelves with necessities for us to buy, preparing food, donating time and/or money to help the less fortunate, spending 8 hours a day caring for the elderly at the nursing homes and so many more. Teachers at home preparing daily lessons, workers in doctors’ offices and hospitals, police and fire people are all the utmost in helpers. So are the moms and dads who are at home with their kids, trying to teach them the lessons the teachers have so lovingly prepared for them. If you can, do something special for anyone that you see as a helper. You don’t need to go out of your house; you can send a note through the mail, send a food gift card or drop off a bag of fruit on their front porch. We have to look for the helpers, right, Mr. Rogers?

2. Let’s talk toilet paper!

C’mon, people, there is no reason to hoard it, or anything, as a matter of fact. It’s the 21st Century, not the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918. Stop hoarding everything! Leave things for others — you are not the only family out there. Nor are you the most important!!! One of my favorite Frasier quotes, which I actually have to remind myself of once in awhile, is “Copernicus called and YOU are not the center of the universe!”

3. It’s time to get creative!

Keep your body and mind moving. Binge-watching is fine; in fact, I would say it is a necessity to take our minds off things! But, you can walk where no one is (I’ve been out every day since this happened and never run into anyone). You can also Youtube some exercises and play along (Zumba, anyone?). You can read, do math or crossword puzzles or my favorite, logic puzzles (even though I am not good at them!). If you have an e-reader like the Kindle, there are literally thousands of things to browse before you decide what you should read.

4. Let’s use this time to stop the madness of the lives we were living before!

You know the ones I am talking about — our lives pre-pandemic. Rushing around, feeling so important, unable to relax because there is JUST SO MUCH TO DO!! On my walk yesterday, I saw a robin and I just stopped to admire him and, actually, I talked to him for a minute (remember, I never see anyone on my walks…lol). I also felt some water fall on my head when I was under a tree and instead of feeling mad, I stopped, looked up and saw beautiful drops of rain hanging off the branches. Look for the beauty, friends, because it’s still out there — even during this pandemic!!!