I learnt what a pandemic means only recently. We are six months into the Covid-19 pandemic, and things are only getting nastier every day. We have moved from this stage of intense fear, to intense drudgery and frustration, and now slowly accepting life as it is, and learning to live life a whole new way.
I never had illusions that this pandemic would end anytime before a year at the earliest, even when it started. That did not make it easier. The first few weeks, while filled with dread about the disease, did not dampen the spirits too much. I was working harder than I ever had..sweeping, mopping, dishes, BABY SITTING a toddler who was just learning to assert her independence and opinions on everything, teaching, research, and then feeding all night. After a few weeks, this drudgery turned into a disease of the mind...there was no weekend, no break, no vacation in sight, no going to the beach, no watching a movie...heck, we are afraid even of the grocery stores! What is this fear..and what is this life? But, I knew deep down that nature is trying to heal, and teach us humans a lesson!
We have fallen irreversibly into an abyss of materialistic and unsustainable lifestyle. The covid has taught us that it is in-fact possible to stay home and not venture out, unless necessary (thereby reducing pollution, and frivolous expenses like shopping, and dining). It has been a lesson in minimalist living, and things that were an indispensable part of life six months ago are actually not at all essential. I have learnt to value people and, value their contribution in making my life simpler, whether it is the iron man, or the house maid. I like that people finally are forced to undertake small weddings, and avoid crowding sacred temples, which have become outward displays of extravagance and piety.
I have started learning to accept that we have to face life in the right spirit. While we cannot throw caution to the winds, one cannot live life by hiding indefinitely or avoiding the inevitable...what will be will be. It terrifies me that our child's caretaker is about to come back next week to us amidst a worsening pandemic, but it appears that we only have ourselves to blame. We have made choices in our lives that we have to live with, and face their consequences.
Is the pandemic about to take over my life, or am I going to be successful in learning to live with whatever blows the virus is about to throw on me? I pray that we get away easy. Will I be so lucky?
