Chapter 38

We are together in it! Coping in different ways…

The pandemic impact on humans has been so heartbreaking….telling us to live with fear every day! We empathise with all those who lost their near and dear ones!
Many of us have reached out to all those who lost their jobs or faced financial crises…helping them in every little way possible! Some of us could not reach our old parents far away even after their death! We taught ourselves to accept the situation which was anything but unreal!
We trained ourselves to work hard with the limited resources at times, on regular basis! We have realised that ‘less is more’, we are filled with gratitude for all that we have…our job, family members who are safe and protected!
We have found time for self reflection and opportunities to work on ourselves. We have learnt new skills and discovered our passions long lost! We prayed for each other, valued the Day in hand and moved on!

My mother (old and quite ill) and a few aged relatives, uncles/ aunties who are dear to me have been isolated and away from us! I have not visited them but kept in touch through messages and phone calls! Many a time the scary thought of losing them occurs and helplessness overpowers! Prayers and best wishes have kept us all hopeful with fingers crossed, whenever fear comes to the mind!

With her underlying health issues, Covid would be dangerous for my daughter, but at the same time mental health is surely a priority for us! Staying confined in the house during the first 3 months, though kept her happy and occupied, she seemed uncomfortable when we stepped out just for a ride in the car! She refused to look out of the window….which was a bit strange! She started showing withdrawal symptoms to step out even once in a while. After sanitizing the car we started going for a
ride once or twice in a week and gradually she learnt to overcome this anxiety!

Going out for a meal, eating fancy food is the ultimate happiness for her! After the situation eased out in November, we planned an outing, she looked at menus and decided the venue….outfits to wear….big excitement! Just as we stepped into the restaurant, she broke down uncontrollably…food of her choice was served, father tried his best in terms of ordering anything she could ask for! But she howled and howled…He even gave his own share…anything to calm her down! It was a tough situation…she was overwhelmed….helplessly trying to control her emotions but failed!
My friend prayed for us, to lessen our pain and to heal our wounds…she always does… even when I don’t ask her to! We always do our best for our child, who doesn’t?

Now the question is do we stop taking her out? How do we help her to enjoy what she loves? I consulted her doctor and also thought about a different strategy of counseling her! This time we  decided to not let the excitement grow big causing anxiety! For a much awaited food event which she loves to attend, she was taken without any discussion and planning in advance…
On the way to the venue, we prayed together for ‘staying happy to enjoy something good!’ My friend kept us in her prayers!
We succeeded and she was happy!

You never really know what’s coming. A small wave, or maybe a big one. All you can really do is hope that when it comes, you can surf over it, instead of drown in its monstrosity.

Alysha Speer