We Can Do This

Yesterday, as I was trying to email myself this silly photo for this blog post, Gmail kindly told me I was out of luck because I had used my entire15 gigs of storage. It probably had something to do with those 38,000 emails in my account, dating all the way back to 2008. So, I started culling.

I found a lot of emails about PTA stuff, many I’d written to teachers checking on my kids’ progress, one from a friend’s daughter – a foreign exchange student in Spain, and one from my friend Linda, thanking me for a letter she said was one of the most wonderful she’d ever gotten. I don’t recall the details, but suffice it to say I was probably thanking her for being there for me because 2008 was no piece of cake.

I’d filed for divorce, but was still living with my husband and kids. Two weeks later, I lost my job in a mass layoff, during the worst recession we’d ever experienced. When I look back now, I see the flurry of emails I wrote to make connections, apply for jobs, do voiceover work, teach voiceover classes, and make money any way I could because I had two kids to feed and bills to pay.

It honestly was good to read because it makes having to stay home alone now feel like a piece of cake. If I could get through all that, then surely, whatever this brings, I’ll get through this too. I just have to avoid scaring myself to death after reading messages from well meaning friends, that leave me worried about every cough, ache or pain. Then a friend told me about this meme, “Rona, is that you?”

It just made me laugh and laugh.

If you don’t laugh, or literally walk away, you go pretty insane. I’ve spent the last two weeks working from home during the day, writing as fast as my fat, little fingers can fly. At night -I’ve been vegging on the couch, watching every episode of “Anne with an E” — a lovely period TV show, while pondering what should be included in my obituary. After five minutes of news the lyrics, “Hello darkness my old friend,” start playing in my head.

A man who walks in my neighborhood said, “It feels like the end of the world.”

It did feel that way for a while, but my new perspective is that this too, shall pass and we’ll all be better, smarter, more prepared, hopefully healthier, and maybe more loving because of it. Hopefully we’ll realize how important our family and friends are, even the ones who drive us nuts.

All we can do is be smart, follow the guidelines, wash our hands, not touch our faces, wipe down our doorknobs, keys, purses, and anything we bring into our homes because that stinking “Rona” can apparently stick around days longer than any of us knew. And shop quickly, wiping down everything you buy with disinfecting cleaner — even your plastic bags.

I have a lot of wiping to do because I just bought a bunch of stuff I’d normally never buy like: smoked salmon, cream cheese, applesauce, ketchup and yellow mustard. Corona stress must have worked it’s way into my buying arm.

I’m doing my best to fight it by drinking wine, calling people, making good food, going for long walks, petting my dog, and feeling as good as I can. Yesterday, I made Potato Leek Soup, cut and colored my hair, showered and even put on make up.

Next, while cleaning and organizing, I’ll memorize the words to , “Stay the F_ck at Home,” a hilarious song, which I heartily recommend you hear. It was sent to me by my friend Dawn’s partner Rob. His forte is making you laugh in trying times. If you have kids, there is a funny G-Rated version of the above mentioned song, called, Stay the Heck at Home. I recommend them both!

Rob also sent a text that said, “For the first time in history, we can save mankind by lying in front of our TV’s and doing absolutely nothing. LET’S NOT SCREW IT UP!

Most of us have probably been through equally tough times, we can do this! We’re still standing. Stay strong!

Yummy Potato Leek Soup!