This has been shared in several social media spots and I thought it worth sharing here…
WE ARE NOT IN THE SAME BOAT…
I heard it said that we are all in the same boat, but it’s not like that. We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat. Your ship could be shipwrecked and mine might not be. Or vice versa.
For some, quarantine is optimal: a moment of reflection, of re-connection, easy in flip flops, with a cocktail or coffee. For others, this is a desperate financial & family crisis.
In some homes a sole occupant faces endless loneliness. In others, family members are getting peace, rest, and time with each other — while in still others, quarantine means an increased danger due to domestic violence.
With the $600 weekly increase in unemployment some are bringing in more money to their households than they were working. Others are working more hours for less money due to pay cuts or loss in sales.
Some families of 4 just received $3400 from the stimulus while other families of 4 saw $0.
Some were concerned about getting a certain candy for Easter while others were concerned if there would be enough bread, milk and eggs for the weekend.
Some want to go back to work because they don’t qualify for unemployment and are running out of money. Others want to kill those who break the quarantine.
Some are home spending 2-3 hours/day helping their child with online schooling while others are spending 2-3 hours/day to educate their children on top of a 10-12 hour workday.
Some have experienced the near death of the virus, some have already lost someone from it and some are not sure if their loved ones are going to make it. Others don’t believe this is a big deal.
Some have faith in God and expect miracles during this 2020. Others say the worst is yet to come.
So, friends, we are not in the same boat. We are going through a time when our perceptions and needs are completely different.
Each of us will emerge, in our own way, from this storm. It is very important to see beyond what is seen at first glance. Not just looking, actually seeing.
We are all on different ships during this storm experiencing a very different journey.
Unknown author
I have many friends around the world and yes, several have been directly impacted by the virus. A healthy 25 year old nephew of one friend just died from the virus. Even worse, his mother is still in the hospital fighting the disease. Another friend lost her grandfather. One more has a 15 year old grandson diagnosed. His pain has been so bad he’s sent texts wishing he was dead.
I have friends with no income and no money in the bank. They’re still waiting for that elusive check to arrive. We have friends and family members working on the front lines, worrying about bringing the virus home.
We’ve all seen the celebrities and other famous folks sharing who they have lost. But don’t forget the nameless, countless others that aren’t sharing their grief.
I have friends who live alone and use Facebook and other social media to keep in touch with loved ones and friends. Others have a large family at home and would, at times, love to be alone.
I could go on and on – we’re all in the same storm, just not on the same ship. Keep following the guidelines to stay safe and above all BE KIND.
Thank you.
So very true. So very sad and painful for so many. My mom has not seen her husband in almost 3 months… 1st because she had a cold, then 2nd both facilities are under lockdown now. He fell and broke his hip. And still because of the lockdown, she was unable to go see him. He is doing well. But her facility is in complete quarantine, so she has fallen into deep depression. I hope this mess resolves itself pretty soon. She lives by Seattle, so the nursing homes and assisted living facilities are probably going to be the last places allowed out of quarantine. The good news is there has been no outbreaks at her facility. Its not so horrible for them, but it is for my mom. I miss her.
SOOO sorry to hear about your mom, that really stinks. Stay healthy – sending hugs!
Thanks. Donna. Very thoughtfully written. Virtual hugs to you and your family. Stay safe.
Hugs right back!
What a great post. Same storm different ships. Yes. Thanks for sharing this.
And thank you for visiting & commenting!
What you posted was so true. I have experienced a lot of that except no one I know has had the virus and/or died from it. My father is in long term care and thank God his facility has no cases among the residents although 6 employees are quarantined with positive results. My daughter is a nurse and although she is not in the hospital on the front lines she is a dialysis nurse and is in close contact with her patients giving them what they need to stay alive. I worry about her in her work and as she has a new baby.
I am in NJ and in one of the hardest hit states. We are still rapidly rising in cases and deaths as it moves from North Jersey down here to the south. NJ might be small, but we are a densely populated state especially in the north that touches borders with NY.
Now that states are starting to open up I fear a resurgence as the virus starts to spread again. I fear this won’t be over for quite a while.
My other daughter is laid off (she worked in the schools) and so she is now homeschooling her children. Unemployment ran out and she is waiting to see what happens, but at least her husband is working and his job is essential.
My son, who had been in NC, came home before they shut the borders to Delaware and Pennsylvania so he could be with the family during all of this.
Not that we are seeing each other since we are staying at home and practicing social distancing.
Keep safe!
Oh Tessa, hate to hear all that’s been going on with you and I know you haven’t been feeling all that well. We have a childhood friend of hubby’s who is in NJ. It’s not pretty…hugs!!
Thanks Donna! I am really worried that they are starting to open things in other states and there is talk that they might start opening some of our businesses plus the Jersey Shore. We aren’t even starting to have less cases yet. Our numbers are still climbing. I have chronic Bronchitis made worse by Asthma. I spent 10 days in the hospital for one of those attacks. It makes me very susceptible to the virus thus I don’t go out unless I can’t help it. I grocery shop for the whole month. I get my prescriptions if I can’t get them delivered and I go to the doctors if it can’t be done over the phone. That is it. Otherwise I am inside my apartment, but since I live in a high-rise with 100 apartments I am running into other residents in elevators and getting the mail. And if I can possibly get an empty washing machine to do laundry we are bunched in a little room. We only have 4 washers and 4 dryers for 100 apartments. And they cut the hours to 11 am to 4:45 pm and no new laundry after 3 so technically we have 4 hours only in the laundry room. That’s a real pain.
The laundry room issue is the worst! It would be nice if someone could offer a service to pickup/delivery laundry. Hugs – keep staying as safe as you can!
I have an aide now and she helps me bathe, dress and cleans as well as standing in line to do the laundry. Big help. Now if I could just get some more pain medicine. New doctor is keeping it low for now since I have been off it for awhile. It is a stronger medicine, but the dose is too low. All I can do is wait.
Hugs, dear friend!
Hugs!!