We got to have our Main Street Guymon board meeting in the office this week, looking at one another in person. I missed those folks. I miss seeing people. The COVID19 self – quarantine hasn’t been easy. When you say you’re going to work from home, it seems wonderful. Working with your hair messed up and bad breath. But pretty soon you sort of disgust yourself.
“Geez, lady, you need to go shower,” is the thought I had … about myself.
It can be a little dangerous, too. The first week I was making my lunch and grated my thumb with the cheese. Yes. For real. And I did what any good person in this day and age does when there isn’t someone there to feel sorry for you … I took a picture of the wounds (yes, there was a spot of blood even!) and texted the photo to my daughters. They didn’t seem to have the sympathy I thought I needed, so that made it a bit more traumatic.
Several weeks later I was trying to cut a plastic ring off a frozen food carton and nicked my other thumb with the knife. Blood again. But I had learned my lesson, I just had a simple pity party and didn’t ask for sympathy from my daughters. It appears I can be wounded cooking or reheating. Some things just aren’t safe.
My new normal is watching church on facebook live in my pajamas. One of my prayers each week is that I don’t forget and wear my slippers to church when we can go back.
Speaking of church, this was the first Easter in my 60 years of life that wasn’t spent with my family. I don’t want to ever do that again. That was a sad day for me … and it’s a day that is supposed to be full of rejoicing.
Mother’s Day was also a quiet day in my house by myself. That wasn’t so as bad, but it really hurt because I had four kids, six grandkids, and two parents within 40 miles and none of us mind driving. But we were doing the serious quarantine for a couple of weeks and it was necessary.
Next week is my step – father’s 90th birthday and we had a party planned … invitations went out and a meal was ordered … all cancelled.
And yet, I know the important part is that my friends and family are safe through this, that our jobs are still here, and that we understand life will go on. We are content and thankful for the blessings we do have.
One of those blessings is that my youngest grand – daughter has a father who is a baseball coach. Usually doing baseball season you don’t see much of him. But this year, during her first year, that baby had her dad every day. They got to bond like they never would have at any other time. She hasn’t gotten to see her other grandparents, but they’ll fix that as soon as they feel it is safe to travel. Although they have a lot to learn … traveling with a baby can be a true trip. Or a nightmare, whichever you prefer to call it.
My Texhoma grandkids, since they didn’t have school and weren’t allowed to spend time free ranging around town and at their friend’s homes and didn’t have sports activities going on … would ride their bikes to my house sometimes and we’ve had some pretty good Skipbo games. Even had time to learn some other games. I loved those moments and don’t want to lose them when we back to the norm.
It is my hope that your cheese grating hasn’t been hazardous, that you have managed through these unusual times with a good attitude. And I hope that your job or business is safe.
For me, I have saved money by not traveling the 20 miles to and from work every day, not having to travel for meetings, and being able to eat at home. Those funds are going to go quickly into purchases from our local businesses because I don’t want to lose them. I don’t want my friends to lose their businesses or their jobs. And while I am at church in my slippers, I shall sincerely pray for each and every one of you for this.
Famous Okie information: Sandi Patty (born July 12, 1956) is an American Christian music singer born in Oklahoma City to a family of musicians. Her father was a minister of music, and her mother served as the church pianist. In 2004, Patty was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and in 2007 was awarded the GMA Music in the Rockies Summit Award. In 2009, Patty and her family relocated to Oklahoma City. In 2015, Patty announced her retirement from touring, citing age and a desire to spend time with grandchildren. In 2016, Patty released Forever Grateful, an album of new and re-recorded material, and embarked on a farewell tour of the same title between February 2016 through March 2017. She is currently the Artist in Residence at Crossings Community Church in Oklahoma City. Patty announced in 2020 she had tested positive for COVID-19. She released a video urging her fans to take the disease seriously and practice social distancing, handwashing, etc., adding, “This is NOT fake news!”
Keep going on your New Year’s resolutions: Let’s make this hand washing a habit we continue.
Made me laugh: The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending and having the two as close together as possible.
~George Burns
Hope to see you taking part in the City’s Bicycle Scavenger Hunt. It looks like good fun and you might win a great prize! It’ll keep you out of trouble.
The other thing to check out is this month’s Shop and Dine being a virtual event. Sounds interesting. We’re all learning, aren’t we?
Catch you on the bricks soon. Stay safe, please.