“I'm not telling you it is going to be easy—I am telling you it is going to be worth it.”
—Art Williams
I had my next six months planned: my work schedule, meetings, presentations, lectures, research, mentoring, and personal events. I was going to visit my daughter and son-in-law, meeting them in New York to celebrate my son-in-law’s birthday. I was going to surprise my niece on her 15th birthday. I was going to visit my daughter-in-law and son in Boston. I was going to meet my friend of 35 years in Switzerland in June for our annual trip. And then, in a split second, all changed!
I vividly remember these words I read on a billboard in front of a church over 20 years ago, “If you want to see God laugh, tell him your plans.” I was reminded again of these words as I reflected on the current uncertainties due to COVID-19, the what if’s, the why’s and how’s. This all feels so hard.
Feeling overwhelmed, I turned to gratitude. What could I offer gratitude for in spite of these unknowns? I am grateful that my parents are with me because not only am I not alone, they are a strong moral support, and I do not have to worry about the thousands of miles between us if they had been in India. I am grateful for a roof, food, security…the basic Maslow’s needs that are foundational to humanity. It is amazing that when we are humbled and brought to our knees, these are the basic tenets that matter. Forgotten are the degrees, accolades, material goods…
Finding mental solace and focusing on the positive, I felt better.
The coronavirus is not the only challenge we may be facing. All the ways that our lives can suddenly be turned upside down still exist. For instance, the “regular” illnesses still happen. Last week I cared for patients with diabetes, heart attack, coma, kidney failure, not to mention the patients who came in with signs of the coronavirus.
In an earlier post, I wrote about the early morning phone call from my neighbor three weeks ago when her husband was having a stroke. I am happy to report that he is doing remarkably well. A heartfelt thanks to all who have held him and his wife, and the care team, in their thoughts and prayers. He will be released from the rehab facility where he has been for over a week, on this Wednesday.
The couple have been socially distanced in every way possible. While in the hospital, a daily Facetime and multiple phone calls were the only communication possible. When he was transferred via ambulance to the rehabilitation facility, through the kindness of the staff, his wife was able to coordinate to meet the ambulance at the facility. They were able to see each other from a distance and his old clothes were exchanged for a clean set. Sneaked into the bag were also a box of his favorite Girl Scout cookies.
Luckily he had a room on the first floor with a window! Ah ha! They would make this work! A pandemic picnic each day. She is allowed to bring him food, which she leaves at the front desk and it is delivered to him. And then they eat together. The glass window between them may as well be non-existent!
When people really care about each other, they always will find a way to make it work. These are hard times, unprecedented times, yet this is also a time when we are all facing this crisis together! No one is spared! We each can contribute to a solution.
Let us start by caring for each other. Start by ensuring that each human being has love, food, water and shelter, the basic Maslow’s needs that are the foundation of humanity.
“When two people really care about each other, they always find a way to make it work. No matter how hard it is.” —Anonymous
#REFLECT: When is a time you’ve found a way to make something work for a loved one, or saw someone else do so against the odds?
I love this post. It reminds me that everyone enters or exits this time-space continuum in pretty much the same way. Everything in between is ultimately irrelevant-maya -per Hindu philosophy. And yet we divide ourselves into tribes over the trivial. But ultimately it just comes down to the basics.
Indeed, well stated! We are all human and our needs for the basic needs are universal and know no boundaries or discriminations!