COVID-19: My Long Winter

Yesterday, my mother, Thelma Jones, reminded me of my thoughts about my COVID-19 experience. Although I am saddened by the numerous losses associated with the COVID, I relate to the pandemic as a long winter. Winters have always been a time of hibernation for me. I have tackled many projects during the winter, including moments of deep thought, potty training, preparing our children for school, writing, and others.

You see. Before COVID, I was all over the place, taking care of others’ needs while shortchanging myself. I felt like I was all over the place and not where I wanted to spend most of my time. I had this vision bursting within me which included lots of free time to think about life, write, meditate, do yoga, and reconnect with myself.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my family, and I am very grateful for them. But, deep down inside, I know if I don’t take care of myself, I am not my Self.

Let me provide some context to my long winter.

Before Oregon, we lived in our cozy condo in Canal Winchester, Ohio. My husband and I were working on our businesses. And in January 2019, my husband accepted a job in Tillamook, Oregon. I resigned from a nursing teaching job I accepted a month ago, informed the Yoga school I couldn’t accept admission into their program (I heard it is hard to get into) and made arrangements with my new…