During the COVID 19 pandemic, I discover that I have developed daily routines. I wake up usually between 5:00 and 5:30 a.m. and walk upstairs to my study, where I turn on the coffee pot and give Mimi and Oscar their morning treats. I sit at my computer looking over emails and news headlines as I drink my first coffee of the day. Then, I sit quietly for about 20 minutes and meditate, using a different mantra from the variety of mantras I learned after completing three 21 day challenges with Deepak Chopra these past two months. Having completed them, I have created my own meditations with accompanying music I downloaded from iTunes, and change the mantra to suit my mood each day. By now it is almost 7:00 a.m., and I go downstairs to feed the cats and clean their litter. Before Tom stirs, I walk around the flower garden outside, greeting new blossoms, or observing new leaves and plants awakening. It feels as if this year the garden is more spectacular than usual. Birds are singing louder these days - or are they?
By now, Tom has come down to the front porch and we sit together drinking coffee and sometimes eat a chocolate chip cookie that I baked. I try to keep a steady supply of those. I buy the ready-made dough, that become deliciously home-baked cookies, from Baker Street Bread bakery. The best time to eat them is right after they come out of the oven and the dark chocolate chips have melted gloriously into the dough. We sit on the porch and watch the world go by: cars racing back and forth (where are they going in such a rush? I wonder), joggers running past, walkers walking, and others just out walking their dogs.
The day follows from there - sometimes a walk alone, or perhaps social distance walking with a friend in the neighborhood, or taking in a zoom class of weight bearing bone density support exercises from one of the best instructors I have ever known. If it rains, there is a YouTube tape with aerobic walking at home. Three meals to think about, plan and prepare. Once in awhile I take my mask, hand sanitizer, tissues, and credit card, and head out to a grocery store. Though, I do try whenever possible to order from Prime Whole Foods for our groceries, if they happen to open a delivery window.
In between I read a book for the book group I belong to, or something that I have discovered in the New York Times, or as recommended by others. And then there are days I respond to professional development inquiries, or facilitate a zoom PD for early childhood teachers here or there, as requested. On special occasions, like Tom's birthday, I organize a zoom dinner with friends. In the evenings we watch different Netflix Series or movies, either downloaded from a neighboring theater, or through different networks.
Once a week, I organize the garbage and take it out to the curb.
Sometimes, we eat gelato for desert. And then, it is off to bed with me: to read, listen to stress free music, write in my gratitude journal, or just lie and reflect on the day that has passed.
My all-time favorite thing to do is to FaceTime with my son, his wife and my grand daughter, or to visit in a social distancing way with the family of my surrogate grandson. I cherish those moments more than anything.
Today on my morning walk, I looked up into the clear blue sky and wondered in amazement at the brilliantly colored azaleas blooming everywhere I walked. How can the world be so beautiful, and yet seem so sinister all at the same time? I felt as if I was walking within a science fiction movie, greeting people with my eyes to theirs over our masks.
Yes indeed, daily routines keep me balanced, and ward off those one or two times I have experienced panic attacks. On the whole, though, I feel privileged and very fortunate. Even as I stare up at the clear blue sky and enjoy these glorious spring days, I am acutely aware that tens of thousands, nay millions, of people around the nation and across the globe, are suffering in ways I cannot even imagine. I hold them - the situation - in my thoughts constantly, which, of course, causes my balance to falter, tilter, and rock me awake into steadying myself with yet one more routine.
It feels like Australia and New Zealand just slipped through my fingers, Cheryl. It was like a dream that I almost came to see you in March. And here you are ... always here. Such a darling, good friend.
Posted by: Tamarika | May 08, 2020 at 06:32 AM
I have become aware of a similar routine in the last five weeks.So many of our daily activities overlap, but I have the wonderful life experience of Iiving with my extended family. I love the peace my routine gives me. Glad you are experiencing the same
Posted by: Cheryl | May 07, 2020 at 06:58 PM