I’ve set out to write this piece several times, but have started and stopped – I wanted to be in the right mindset when I write what I hope will be something positive, but quite honestly it has been difficult to find that moment. I know I am not alone in feeling terrified, confused, and in complete bewilderment about this unprecedented and unpredictable world in which we now live. When I started writing this just a few weeks ago, I naively thought our “stay at home” order was just going to last a few weeks. But now that we know we are home until at least May 18, and likely much longer, I’ll share my thoughts about this point in time.
I used to spend a lot of time away from home. Almost every night there was something going on – work, industry events, client events, fundraisers, teaching gigs, concerts, clubs, and more concerts, spin and yoga classes, and of course family and friends. I traveled a lot – for business and pleasure. And weekends were just as full, and often we are spending the weekend at our place on Block Island, or doing some combination of all of the above.
In today’s world transformed by the pandemic, most of us are told to stay home (well, at least here in MA). While health care professionals, and everyone else deemed essential – and they truly are – continue to care for people, support people, save people’s lives – the rest of us have one job – to stay away from other people. And while this may seem a hardship to many, this is where the positive part comes in. Not to oversimplify, but those of us that “just” have to stay home have it easy. Yes there are many layers and challenges to this, but we are not on the front lines, we are home.
So in the midst of this indescribable situation, I find myself at home. A lot. We all do. And I’m rediscovering my “home” on many levels.
We live in Arlington, which I have to say I took for granted before this “opportunity” to explore it. For sanity and health, I have been trying to go on a walk every day. The Minuteman Bike Trail is right near our home, but I tried that a few times and found it to be way too crowded. Instead, armed with my trusty red mask created by my friend Dagmar, I venture around neighborhood streets and parks. Arlington is quite beautiful, and hilly! A neighborhood walk can be a pretty good workout! We’ve also discovered some amazing nature spots, just around the corner from our home. A short walk to Whipple Hill and Wright Locke Farm allows us to hike in pine forests, and visit alpacas and goats; Mount Gilboa is another wooded hideaway almost in our back yard. The views of the Boston skyline from Robbins Farm Park are spectacular. I have my routes, my loops, and have enjoyed watching the landscape transform day by day as spring emerges.
My neighborhood block is awesome – we have always been a very close community. But with the onset of the pandemic, I have seen the community become even stronger. People are watching out for each other, helping one another. In one week a few weeks ago there were four health scares on our small block (all are doing well now thankfully). The support and communication of the community was comforting and strong. We regularly gather in the street to distance-chat, and gathered to sing “Happy Birthday” to our 92 year old neighbor!
Watching our yard come alive has been a beautiful bonus. Being home for now seven weeks, I’ve gotten to see the forsythias bloom and light up the space even on a gloomy day (and they have lasted the whole time so far); our magnolia bloom, and the tulips I planted last year bloom for the first time – I love to study how they transform and evolve every day.
I’ve always loved our house, but now I am appreciating it so much more – especially the light as it moves through the house during the day. (We are not usually here during the day to see this!) I’m spending time in every room of the house – (and it is more organized and clean than it’s ever been…). Our Music Room has become yoga studio for live-stream yoga classes, David has been playing lots of guitar there, and I’ve even taken out my flute. Except for an occasional takeout meal, we are cooking a lot, and enjoying our kitchen. We have two offices – I have the upstairs office, and David has the dining room. And the living room is for after work, and turns into a bar where have virtual cocktails with friends and family! This instant “social gathering” space has opened up opportunity to reconnect with people I have not “seen” in a while. I so miss hugging people, but the virtual gathering is the next best thing. Message me if you want to share a virtual cocktail!!
The biggest bonus of all is that we get to spend 24/7 with our cats! It’s a good thing digital photography is free, as I have taken many many photos of their cuteness and antics. They keep us company, participate in Zoom meetings, and definitely lighten the mood!
I’m also learning to focus on what we already have, in the house, and learning to be more resourceful and thoughtful about what we need to bring into the house. (I never thought I would value a single sheet of paper towel so much!). There has also been time to critically look at what we have, need, don’t need, and start donating and purging. A big donation to More Than Words is in process.
When we are past this incomprehensible time, and back to some semblance of normalcy (as it is yet to be defined), I hope to learn from this experience and retain in my daily routine some of what I have now become so in love with about my home and my community – to learn to focus more on my local world, and to spend more time with my home.
Wishing everyone all the best
– Felice
