One Year of Pandemic

Wow. How has it already been one year? A year ago this week, we all went home from work for two weeks. We watched the news and watched the numbers and wrung our hands over toilet paper shortages… and then we snuggled up on the couch with our pets and our kids to do puzzles and eat snacks and wait it out. Weeks turned to months and in that time we’ve learned. We’ve learned a lot.

We started learning about hobbies. With new found time on our hands, many decided to learn a new skill. Among our work family, we swapped bread baking tips and house plant pictures. We shared LEGO creations and played virtual scavenger hunts. We fell headfirst into Among Us and took a lot of walks. We picked up D&D (again) and Friday Jackbox. These hobbies brought life to our days and purpose to our empty time. We discovered what it’s like to have fun in small everyday ways. A lesson we will carry with us into the future, no matter what new skill it might hold.

We learned, or have been reminded, of how important people are. Suddenly we were stuck at home, seeing our family and friends over a screen. Big life events were postponed or cancelled. Traditions were put on hold. Disappointments were abundant. Now a year later, almost everyone will know someone or of someone who has lost their life to this disease. We grieve with those who mourn for their lost loved ones. We grieve with those who mourn the lost weddings, graduations and other life events. We grieve for the time lost with our own precious loved ones who won’t be here forever. The pandemic took so much from us and rightly reminds us how we need to value each and every day we have with the people we love. 

We learned how to work from home. Since the world does go on, even with limited contact, we found ways to adapt. We created office spaces at our kitchen tables and in spare bedrooms. We all downloaded Zoom and laughed at funny backgrounds. We attended virtual conferences and spent hours in front of screens for work and meetings. We’ve been so proud of the continued hard work, perseverance and ingenuity that we’ve continued to see here at E-g, even in these ever changing times.

Moving forward, we have hope for a brighter future ahead. A life full of people we love. A life full of work we’re passionate about. A life that includes bowling and roller skating rinks and movie theaters and spending time in restaurants together. A life that will probably look a little different from this week a year ago, but it will be wonderful just the same.