A Year of Turmoil and Transformation

One year ago, we went into lockdown.

Covid -19. The Corona virus. A global pandemic. Holy shit!

They said lockdown would probably only last three to four weeks, possibly six.

We were told to wash our hands, wear a mask, social distance so we could “flatten the curve.”

What happened next doesn’t need to be repeated here.

We’ve all been through our own personal trauma.

For the first few months the loss of freedom to come and go and do as I please, including making future plans, had me cycling through the five stages of grief at a rapid pace.

Although I felt physically “bulletproof,” I worried about getting and passing along the virus to my husband or mother, both with underlying conditions.

I took full advantage of being a “senior” to shop super early in the day with the other gray-haired people. I began to look at going to the store as my “big and fun” adventure even when I got too close to other shoppers and felt myself fearful of breathing the same air.

I invented a system for myself for staying sane…. I began to live my life in “two-hour” segments instead of trying to make plans. This helped me stay focused, get stuff done and not freak out.

Now, 365 days later, I am feeling optimistic, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Life will never be as it was pre-Covid, but I am hopeful a new and better world will emerge.

The gifts of lockdown are now evident to me.

This past year has been my most creative and I finally finished my novel.

One of the highlights of the year was celebrating my birthday on zoom with 72 friends and raising more than $90,000 for Girl Power Project India!!!

Thanks to the magic of Zoom there are many friends I am closer with now that we have scheduled weekly meetings. One of my bigger groups is for the purpose of sending healing intentions to our friends that are ailing. Another is a prayer group. With both groups there is plenty of time to catch up and connect.

I’m looking forward to getting the second vaccine in ten days and then finally meeting up with friends for an outdoor meal. Brian can’t wait to see a live concert again. And we are both looking forward to the day when we can go back to Italy to see our friends, eat pasta and drink fine wine.

What are the gifts you received during lockdown and what are you now looking forward too?

Wishing you love, laughter and magical kisses,

Arielle