On Second Thought

Looking for some pen pals

“And the people stayed home. And read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.

And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.

And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.”

-Kitty O’Meara (via Soul Alchemy)

Welcome to a different world, everyone.

I know what I’m doing in my house, but outside Facebook I have no clue what anyone else is doing. And we all know there’s a Facebook life and then there is real life.

It’s been weird over here, I’m not going to lie. I got my first paying job the day I graduated from high school - many moons, Suns and stars ago - and I have worked in an office every day since.

Giving somebody like .... me ... the authority to office at home as I’m doing for the most part now is much like asking your trustworthy but fun-loving cat to babysit your favorite hamster. They’ll do it but they will struggle with the process. My first full day at home was spent in my dress sweatpants and finest Mickey Mouse t-shirt with no makeup and bed head. It was glorious for no other reason than I would show up for work like that if social decorum did not exist. And I did business like that all day, on the phone and online.

I got up the same time I always do, because I know me and I will switch to later second shift without permission. I walked on my lunch break, and did healthy things that didn’t include YouTube videos and Facebook. I felt disciplined for the first time in my life, and comfortable all at the same time. I’m also rationing snacks because God knows when Pillsbury ready-to-bake cookie dough will show up again on store shelves.

But in the midst of this utter confusion, I know I’m lucky. I have a job that is considered essential and I’m still getting a paycheck. I am healthy. Not everyone is, so I will not complain.

I also will not complain because I know I dodged an age bullet in that I have no school-age children and therefore will not be required to do the hardest job on planet earth - provide a quality education to another human being while following the state law that says I cannot beat them.

I salute you parents, grandparents and teachers who are making that happen on a moment’s notice.

But my life beyond that is bascially boring. I can only write so much about gassy dogs, the mandatory no-pants Thursdays I implemented, or unsuccessful Tik-Tok attempts. After that it’s all work and life’s necessary chores.

Since the only connection I have to the outside world is you, I’m asking you to email me ... be my pen pal, if you will.

Email me stories about how you’re dealing with this historic quarantine - I want to hear your story. If I get enough stories, instead of writing about what fabulous ensemble I’m wearing while proofreading and watching a Ghost Adventures marathon, I’ll pick one each week and document for the books what struggles, as well as the very important victories - and there are some of those as well. I’ll even change your name if you want! I guess I’m asking for pen pals willing to be interviewed, because I am one boring woman sitting here on the couch with no children to teach or global conferences to join on Zoom. My husband won’t even participate in this Tik Tok magic in the forest I’ve discovered.

So help a girl out - be my pen pal and tell me your story. I want to document your stories of how this is affecting you and your family, or even someone you know.

Email me at kcollins@ iowaparkleader.com. Tell me your stories, worries, hilarious and inspiring moments.

And lastly, be kind and patient and give lots of grace. Every person you meet is going through this Covid-19 pandemic for the first time, too.