The Summer of 2020 has been a summer of discontent. As one who has been seeking silver linings, reflecting on positivity, and workint for win-win solutions, I must say the challenge continues. Everytime I think I have a better way to live during this pandemic, I am caught by surprise by another disappointment, tradition lost, or conflicting situation.
Last night, for example, I attended the wake for my beloved Aunt Mary. Typically wakes for my family are part of a multi-day celebration of life. While sad, they are also joyful, boisterous, and well-attended events meant to provide comfort and care to family members. Sadly, due to the pandemic, Mary's wake was a quiet, careful event meant to provide an opportunity to pay your respects while not contracting the COVID-19 virus. I was glad I was there. Her family members were there to pay Mary reverance and respect, but it was a bit shocking to see how the pandemic had affected a long-held family tradition so dramatically.
This pandemic has upset almost every aspect of our lives--almost nothing is the way it used to be and that requires daily recalibration, thought, and effort. This is challenging at best.
That said, I'm not giving up with my search for silver linings, safe decisions, and good effort. Today, I would be getting ready for my son's wedding which was postponed due to COVID-19. Instead we'll still gather with a much smaller group at the house we rented a long time ago for the event. The house lends itself to outdoor water, woods, and mountain adventures which will be fun. We'll cook healthy foods, enjoy outdoor adventures, and have a chance to be together as an intimate group. Hopefully in a little more than a year, this will be past, and we'll be able to celebrate the wedding as planned.
Relationships have been challenged during this time too as people lean on each other to make sense of the pandemic rules and limitations. In the best of circumstances, this has helped us to strengthen our intimate commitments and relationships, and in the most challenging cases we've realized that there is work to do to keep our relationships strong and positive. In the past, we often relied on old time traditions and routines for these relationships, and now we have to think anew about the words we use and the get-togethers. The relationship landscape has changed in so many ways.
This has been a summer of discontent in so many ways, yet I don't want to give into that. I will remain steadfast in trying to find win-win solutions and decisons to pandemic times. I look forward to the win-win solutions you've found as you travel this road.