I can no longer keep silent in what I’m seeing going on around me.
I see friends and family criticizing each other for the choices they’re making in the midst of this pandemic. I see a lack of compassion. I see nastiness. I see fear.
Through an aching heart, a compassionate soul, and vision clouded with tears, I’m going to share how I view this year…
2020 is not a lost year but rather a year of investment.
2020 isn't a lost year... it's a year of investment. Perhaps we need this shift in perspective. #covid #2020 #perspective Click To TweetI’ve heard so many people share what they’ve lost this year… a trip, a job, the convenience of dining out, the classrooms, graduations, weddings, parties, and gatherings with friends.
I don’t dismiss the pain of not being able to do these things. My family, too, has lost much.
My husband lost his job for one and a half months. We’ve lost savings. A major family vacation that we had been planning for months was cancelled. Special occasions where extended family gather to share a meal and play games were eliminated.
I, too, know the pain of losing a lot.
But I truly believe that we can reframe this situation and view it as an investment in the future.
My family has heeded all of the health protocols:
- we have limited our outings
- we distance visit with friends and family members
- we stick to our social “bubble”
- we keep a 2-meter physical distance from others
- we wear masks when we are indoors with people who are not in our bubble
- we’re meticulous with handwashing / sterilizing items from outside the house
Of course we miss hugs from extended family members, gathering to worship at church, heck, I even miss the casual, dawdling grocery trips . But for my family, it’s a low risk investment.
We are taking minimal risks, BUT we’re in it for the long term gain. We don’t do this out of fear or simply for the health of our immediate family. We are making these choices for everyone in our community, our city, our province, our country, and our world.
This is not a time to think, “I NEED this trip, or I DON’T LIKE to wear a mask.” This is the time to think about how every single action can impact others.
Years ago I lost my maternal and paternal grandmothers. I can’t possibly express how much I loved these women. If my actions keep someone else’s beloved mother, grandmother, father, or grandfather alive, then I have invested well.
I couldn’t bear to think that a poor choice I’ve made could harm someone else. The second commandment is to “love your neighbour as yourself” – I’m loving my neighbour by taking these actions.
Don’t call me a sheep because I wear a mask and don’t criticize my family for sticking to the health protocols.
We are investing in the future. We are investing in you and your loved ones. An investment now could prevent the greatest loss of all… the loss of precious human life.
With this investment also comes unexpected benefits and gains…
Over the past five months, I’ve invested in my faith and my relationship with God through reading scripture and prayer. I’ve invested in my relationships with my children by spending more quality time with them. I’ve also invested in my health by incorporating healthier eating habits and exercise into my days.
I can sacrifice the trip to the mall, the dinners out, the game nights, and parties – because I’m not looking at the here and now… I’m looking to the future.
I hope and pray that everyone else is looking to the future too.
In love,
Jennifer
It is a lost year. Probably more than a year. The loss is something many of us may never recover from. This isn’t just dashed events and a lot of cosy family time. I’m in serious trouble and my dreams and future may never recover.
I don’t see it as an investment. It’s a sacrifice. We also need to do what we can for the future. To save us from more loss.
Hi Joy. It sounds like this year has been especially difficult for you. I’m so sorry you are in a bad place. In no way am I diminishing your loss. My intention for this article is to speak to those who feel their freedoms are more important than protecting the health and well-being of others (which is where the investment comes in).
I’m asking people to invest in the future. To do all they can to stop this pandemic in its tracks. To care about others and to go to all lengths to protect one another. Yes, it is in some ways a sacrifice but I’m trying to frame it in a positive light – so the burden isn’t as heavy.
I will keep you in my prayers and if you’re willing to correspond – I will gladly be a compassionate “ear” for you. I invite you to email me at jennifer{at}thedeliberatemom{dot}com. God bless you.