LET THE GAMES BEGIN by Catherine Lanigan



          I’ve already tossed two blogs so far, lets see if this one makes it.  It’s just very difficult for me, anyway, to write about anything other than what this planet is going through at the moment. For one thing, this is one of the most historic moments in several generations. Though the pandemic is the focus for a lot of us, there are several “bigger” picture aspects to the situation.  All of which I’m saving for future novels in various genres. 


      First, I want to send my sympathies to any and all who have lost a loved one during this time. I have had over six deaths of family, dear friends, parents of friends and spouses. Blessedly, not one was due to the virus. However, we all have had the paradigm-altering-situation of not attending a funeral and even if one was allowed in your state or province, social-distancing and “no hugging” all seemed like a page out of a “Twilight Zone” script.


     Here in Indiana as of yesterday, we have had some “easing” of the restrictions and for the first time in months, I felt joy. The golf course across the street was opened. Though I don’t play any longer, I literally raced to the door, flung it open and waved to the four-some shooting down the fairway in golf carts. I then noticed that even this had changed. There was only one person to a cart.  More social-distancing.  I wondered, will it be like that forever?


Until sunset,  the golf course, the air, was filled with laughter. THAT was a sound I’d nearly forgotten.  And I realized how important our games and outdoor sports are to humans.  When will our sports return and what will that be like?  


     All day long, our street looked like a boulevard with people walking their dogs, kids on bicycles, couples jogging. One neighbor of mine who was walking his dog, stopped in the street and talked for fifteen minutes. He couldn’t stop talking about how good it was to be outside and then to actually TALK to someone. 


That’s the other thing. We all need to talk. I think for the first time, many of us have realized that just texting and emails aren’t enough. I have received more long-distance phone calls in the last two weeks than I have in a year. Everyone wants to talk. Just to hear another voice. Some are scared. Some are checking on me thinking I’ve gotta be depressed since I live alone. (I’m not. A writer living alone can be in bliss. I have done so much research and read so many books, I ‘ve started a new five-foot-tall TBR pile.)  And here’s a plug for Rula---


My curiosity begs me to ask have you noticed a shift in your perspectives?  your habits? since being sheltered-in-place? 

            If you’re still sheltered, catch my Hallmark Channel movie, THE SWEETEST HEART.  
HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is available on Amazon. 
God Bless us, everyone! 


Comments

  1. Your pleasure at seeing golfers and people out on your street leapt off the page of this post for me, Catherine. Like you, I have noticed a shift in my perspective. I seem to see more when I go for walks...tiny flowers in front yard gardens, birds on wires...I’m in the city so these seem trivial but I find myself noticing things I hadn’t before. I’m not sure what all this hyper-sensitivity means or how long it will last, but I’m betting most people will be changed forever. A big part of that change is our empathy for others who have lost loved ones and gratitude for those who’ve risked their lives. All the best!

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    1. Hi, Janice! You are so right, Janice. I seem to be noticing every rise or fall in temperature and the velocity of the wind that truly wasn't all that much a part of my busy days prior to all this. And the birds! I can tell the difference in their calls and the number of hungry baby birds in the morning. There is a CLARITY here that is new. And I think we will find more people see things differently. What I want to ask, "HOW will this change our writing? Because, surely it will."

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  2. A great post, Catherine. Things have shifted for me, and I find myself feeling impatient to get back to "real life," but I don't want to do anything before its time. Like Janice, I notice more things, which I DO like and hope I hold onto. Stay safe and have blessed days!

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    1. Liz, don't you feel like you've come back to BALANCE? I know I do. Prior to this, I had NO idea how tired I was. The first month, I slept a lot. Not from depression but from the past 5 maybe 10 years of constant overload and drive. I'm not only noticing more things, but I've also found this voice inside me that says, "I'm not putting up with a lot of ___________ that I did before!" Suddenly, blasts of truth come out of my mouth that I never would have voiced two months ago. Is that old age? Or the PTSD of Covid-19 hitting it's mark? Stay safe. Stay well and be blessed!

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  3. I agree with you about the need to talk, have real conversations or to exchange simple social greetings. I was able to walk for the first time this year on the trail behind the complex where I live, and I was pleased with the shout outs of bikers and walkers. All done while maintaining the six feet of separation. That's still important, since we're only slightly easing up here in WI. I've enjoyed scheduled phone calls with lots of my friends, too. Texts and emails don't do the job!

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    1. I have an observation. With all the masking of humans, here and abroad, when I see someone, I can't see a smile. THAT smile of mine has been so important especially to my elderly patients who live alone, have no comforting family around and who are woefully depressed. YES, we should see light in someone's eyes, but behind the masks, we have an interesting demeanor. Anyone else see that?

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  4. The masks are really bugging my husband. Today we went to the grocery store and he wore a red bandana I stead of the traditional mask. He said he wanted to look like a daring desperado, not a scared old man. I understand the sentiment! Sports needs to return soon and with cheering fans in the stands, even if they have to wear masks!

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  5. You're right about the sounds of laughter and conversation. I noticed at the store that even when I couldn't see someone's mask, I could tell when they smiled at me. We need smiles and laughter.

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  6. Lovely post. I've had so many phone conversations with family and friends and they've been LONG conversations. I think of them as self care, especially if the weather is nice enough for me to sit outside while I talk.

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