THE "NOW" NORMAL

April is almost over. We have all been social distancing for over a month. Everything has changed and we have even noticed a shift and acceptance of a new normal. When going out walking, it is now a habit to widen the distance between myself and the person I pass. We still say hello or share a smile as our invisible bubbles of space slide beside one another. There is now a regime when preparing for an outing. A mental reminder of all the precautions, a heightened awareness of what I need to bring, where I need to go, what I will be touching and the most efficient route to take that will bring me home sooner. I am not frightened to go out. I just do it with purpose and minimize the frequency. I am reassured when I witness others taking the same or similar concerns into account. It further establishes a new normal –normal for now.

From time to time, I have thought back to what would “normally” be on my mind during April. Prior to COVID-19, I would be preparing for events like the Didsbury Expo and the Airdrie Home and Lifestyle show. I would have been preparing for Easter supper with family earlier in the month. This year was so different from the others. This year, my 84 years young mom wasn’t there to make the stuffing, to ever so carefully and with the greatest efficiency fold the tinfoil tent over the turkey and tuck the edges under so all the wonderfulness would stay inside and keep the bird tender and juicy while creating the brown bits on the bottom for the gravy. It made me sad and miss her. I could not help but imagine for a moment some time in the future when she would not be around anymore. I caught myself and my thoughts. She is here and just a phone call away. That is something.

I am so grateful for the care and attention to detail that the care staff at mom’s care facility are providing all their residents -particularly during this pandemic. Regular updates from them are reassuring. Phone calls to talk with her and opportunities to connect through Skype to see and talk with mom are priceless.

This month, our newsletter has numerous resources to help one another stay safe and healthy- not only physical health but equally important is being well mentally.
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We are doing well. Everyone doing their part to keep each other safe and healthy. We will get through this together. Thank you!