BY SARAH STEPHENS
OWNER/EDITOR EAN
I am offering an excerpt from the famous poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling. I think in our time right now, it is quite appropriate.
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise.
We are living in crazy times right now, no doubt about it. Our level of anxiety is definitely higher for most of us. This is a test of our own personal foundation, I think.
I work from home most of the time, and pretty much completely here lately. Most events have been canceled, so there is nothing to cover most days. There is a press conference this afternoon I am planning on attending so I will be out and about.
My habits have changed to some degree. I usually wash my hands pretty frequently anyway, but this has increased that as well.
So many people are suffering right now, and I am not just talking about anyone who has a confirmed diagnosis.
Working parents are dealing with having to find childcare or someone to watch their young school-aged children. Our health care workers, and first responders aren’t catching many breaks. These, as well as other service-related employees, are having to push on, and continue in their fields. I am praying for them. I am just praying…..
Our world has changed, and while I hope it is just a temporary crisis, I am hopeful that lessons will be learned.
I have been chatting with friends in various states in the country, as well as friends overseas. We in Alabama are not alone in this. Some countries have it much worse. The fear of the unknown is daunting.
My sister called a bit ago to check on me. She is retired now as a longtime educator. She has various projects at her house she is working on, liking cleaning out cabinets. She is taking long walks on her property to relax.
Perhaps when this is over, we will appreciate things we once took for granted. Every day I see something different that we are used to having, that is being taken away in an abundance of caution.
Going to the grocery store and seeing full shelves, for instance. I will never look at toilet paper in the same way again.
I am missing food posts, pet posts and funny memes on social media, rather than a continual stream about COVID-19.
I am worried about some of our small businesses. This is a huge challenge for them.
I don’t have all the answers. That is the only thing I know for certain right now.
But we can still be compassionate in whatever form that takes. We can check on our neighbors, even if it is a phone call. We can smile at someone we pass while we are out of the house. We can take this extra down time to get some of those projects finished at our homes. We can love on our young children and families and give them reassurances that this will pass. And I believe, this will pass.
As for us here at the EAN, we will post any new press releases as quickly as possible for community safety items. Accurate information is key right now.
So, whatever impact this is having on your life, remember that all of us are being challenged on some front. But IF we can keep our head when others around us are losing theirs, we are winning the battle.
