Hello there! I’ve missed you! Hopefully, it won’t be too long before we get to be as active as we’d like to be. One thing is certain, the Coronavirus and its repercussions have left us different people. We could not live through such an experience and not learn, lose, and each come out a changed person. My heartfelt condolences to those who lost family and friends during this time. The seriousness of the situation is life-changing. I, too, wonder where the year 2020 dis- appeared to. I miss friends, activities, and being able to do anything at a moment’s notice.
I’ve read on social media and elsewhere, people have accused “them” of putting fear in the people, “them” being the media, and leaders in politics and science. We have elected our leaders to do just that, lead. Leaders of today have endured this siege of disease just as we, never having seen such a serious threat to our way of life. All I see are leaders trying to lead, to protect us from harm, keeping us abreast of our present situation. In my eyes, that is leadership, the reason we have leaders. The flip side would be the people asking, “Why didn’t they let us know the seriousness?” “Why didn’t they protect us more?”
One day, hopefully soon, we will come out the other end with our sanity and our health. The sooner, the better! We have freedom of speech, but I don’t believe I’ve ever heard so much or read so much whining and complaining. I don’t mind speaking my thoughts, but believe some avenues do not find a cure to our problems, they just magnify them. I do not profess to have more knowledge than our leaders, political or scientific.
The definition of ‘fear’ is, “an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, causing pain or a threat.” It certainly appears to me that this virus is a threat to be feared. Fear is an emotion among the list of others we are born with. Fear is what has taught us many lessons in life for us to arrive as we are today. It has shielded us through childhood into adulthood. It is an emotional protection that will stay and help us until our demise.
My former neighbor and close friend still loves to tell the story of my youngest, Amanda, standing at the edge of our front yard, talking over to her as she worked in her yard. Gloria asked Amanda why she didn’t come across the street to talk to her. Amanda replied, “Oh, my momma won’t let me go in the street.” I had put the fear in her, of why we do not play in traffic, and it worked. If you have lived to a ripe old age, as I have, be thankful that the fear was put into you by someone who cared! Having fear is uncomfortable; however, there is always a reason it occurs. You have someone to thank for that knowledge which might cause you to live a long, healthy life.
Use common sense, take care to prevent injury, illness or death for as long as you are able. I listen to others that help me attain this. The last words to me as I left my dermatologist’s office the other day were, “Use a mask, avoid crowds, wash your hands and keep your hands off your face and you will be fine.” I appreciate her advice — it does not hurt to be reminded!
We are very much in this together, let us do our best to stay together, help each other survive
and face future trials in life. Stay safe!
Jimmie Batchelor is retired from Henry County Senior Services in Stockbridge, where she managed Hidden Valley Senior Center and resided for 38 years. She uses her newfound time writing and enjoying life!
