Health

You’ve got to Accent-uate the Positive!

July 5, 2020

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“A friend may well be reckoned as the masterpiece of nature,” said Ralph Waldo Emerson.

These words never imported so much significance as they do now during this pandemic.

What an extraordinary time we are living in.

COVID-19, a single-stranded RNA genome, invisible to the naked eye, highjacked our normalcy – placing 7.9 billion people in the very challenging position of redefining who we are, how we live, how we work and more importantly, how we survive as a species.

The loss of life is immeasurable and yet inconceivably omnipresent with over 11 million COVID cases and five hundred thousand deaths to date. Let me put 500,000 deaths into perspective. This number represents the population of Miami, Florida, Laval, Québec or Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Families who have lost a loved one courageously walk forward as they struggle to reconcile their conflicting thoughts and profound sadness. A landscape of interwoven and impassioned memories, summon deep reflection, heartache and regret.

Social distancing and wearing facial masks are integral to the prevention of COVID-19.

I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge how blessed I am to be living in Canada – a country that is of the people and for the people.

While many other countries are experiencing escalating cases of COVID-19, Canada’s numbers are way below the curve. Never have I been more proud of the Canadian government and people than I am now.

Acts of Kindness

Everyday I receive the ‘COVID Smile of the Day’ filled with witticisms, jokes (mainly about you know who…AH), hilarious musical videos (mainly about you know who…AH), historical facts, unusual and beautiful photographs, germane quotes and opulent, symphonic performances that pick you up and carry you away to another world.

Videos of animals with their offspring are always a big hit but watching people who know how to park a Lamborghini is just plain sexy.

Sharing a ‘wee drop o’ the craytchure’ while talking on the telephone has brought me comfort and wonderful conversation as we celebrate each other’s birthdays and anniversaries - and the ever-enchanting stroll down memory lane.

Marta rolled out strudel dough on her kitchen table

Marta and John baked lots of apple strudel

Marta sent me a picture of rolled-out apple strudel dough that she stretched over the side of her ‘Walton-family-sized’ table. The dough is so thin you can read a newspaper through it! I love this photo. It’s so Slovenian.

Baked goods are packed in the back of Marta and John’s car and delivered to friends and family every week.

john packing his car with food for friends and family

To express my gratitude to all the kind and thoughtful people in my life, I made about 60 cotton-lined facial masks. It’s my way of saying “thank you” and “please stay healthy.”

And I Wonder…

Will this pandemic ever end – never end? Will the coronavirus continue to mutate causing increased global isolation and fatality? Are we in the transitional stage of our ‘new normal’? Someday soon, will I feel like myself again? Or is this the ‘new me’? Whatever it is and regardless of the duration, we need to remain vigilant and ‘be there’ for each other. Kindness goes such a long way.

The customary expressions through touch are as vital as breathing in and breathing out. How better to tell you how much you mean to me than to place my arms around you and hold you. It’s the ultimate acknowledgement of love, appreciation and thankfulness.

Now, we must cling to each other a little tighter – if only in our hearts, in our thoughts and with our words.

Friends indeed, are the masterpiece of nature.