A few months ago, or maybe it was last summer….I’m not sure, my house became the gathering place for about five to seven woman. Every Friday we have been meeting between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. for coffee and treats. Three of them live on my street. Two to three drive here, one from over an hour away. I make coffee, which is sometimes sludge, sorry to admit that, but it’s true. And they bring treats.
Every week they show up, whether I am tired, grumpy, or other. I have only canceled once in the past several months, and that was because of an ear infection. During the holidays, we exchanged gifts. When I was suffering from concussion symptoms, they came an extra day to play cards.
We discuss friends, family, politics, the state of the world…you name it.
Over the many get togethers we have had, we have become good friends. Some have become mother figures for me. A few have helped my family and I when we have been in a jam. I love these ladies and the time we spend together.
But in the Era of Covid 19, things have changed.
Last week four of us got together outside. We sat in lawn furniture with iced tea, strawberry shortcake and chocolate cookies. One of us dressed up in goggles and a mask. She carried a ruler to make sure we were six feet apart. We chuckled.
But there was a heaviness to the air around us. I ended our gathering a bit earlier than usual; my mood was foul. And as they walked around toward the front of my house and to their cars, or to their houses, I knew that that would be the last time we would meet together.
But I didn’t want to trust my gut. So I texted the usual invite. No one responded. So I called the heartiest of them, the one who had the guts to wear goggles last week. And I could tell from her voice that she is afraid, afraid enough to stay alone in her home that she had not left in God knows how many days.
So I called another one, who mentioned Zoom. And for the next four hours my phone has blown up with chats about using Zoom, or Google Hangouts. So here it is 10:40p.m. Eastern time, and we have tested our options with hopes of a virtual Coffee Clutch tomorrow. Who knew how motivating it would be for shut-in elderly to learn new tech just to stay connected?
I am thrilled that they want to learn, because my stomach dropped when they said they didn’t want to come over tomorrow. I don’t blame them. I just miss them.
Staying connected during Covid 19 is the greatest necessity. And we have to use tech to do it. People are afraid. People are losing hope.
We are in this together and need to reach out to one another.
So pick up your phone.
Teach your loved ones to use tech.
Reach out and give hope tomorrow.
That’s the best for which I can ask.
Namaste
Meandering Through Midlife 