Where am I? Who am I? How did I get here? Where am I going? These are strange and difficult times, even for the luckiest of us. We’ve all taken on more and less, both at once.
I worked from home for 9 weeks or so. Now I’m on furlough. I hope to go back to work this year and to collect unemployment in the meantime. Several people who I’ve known have have been attacked or taken away by the coronavirus. Now, someone at the very center of my life, one of those closest to me seems to be losing their life, primarily due to having caught this virus. For me too, it’s hitting close to home.
I’ve only been able to see a few people, mostly at a distance. I try to talk to my parents, my siblings and my friends. I use the telephone, email, postal mail and social media. I work on the computer everyday but I try not to overdo it, to go out and smell the flowers.
Detroit May 2020
Then too, the political-social-economic state of this nation, of this world seems to be dire and frightening. As I write this, demonstrations and protests are taking place all over the United States. The horrific murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis, Minnesota police officer seems to have been the last straw.
I’ve been a lifelong anti-racist. I’ve read a lot of books, stayed aware and have been to some protests. Thus I share their grief, anger and a sense of running out of patience. Just how much should we allow these people to get away with? We know who’s encouraging and empowering their violence and racism. We see him crying his crocodile tears and offering condolences only when he’s forced into doing so. When things go way too far in one direction, they will end up going to the opposite direction eventually. This is the most extreme case of this in my lifetime. This is the subtext to the protests. Abuse of power by the police can no longer be tolerated. Where will it all end up? Will I be relieved or horrified on December 31, 2020?
Worries about violence and injustice by the police and the government have now been added to my list. These concerns were there already but they’ve taken on a new priority. More power to the protesters!
I’m concerned that not all of the demonstrators are taking health precautions. I hope that not many of them are infected by the coronavirus. I hope that these essential actions don’t help to fan the flames for a second wave of sickness and death. It’s good that the protests are outdoors. It’s bad that they’ve been touched by violence. People are risking their lives to make their concerns known. But yes, I’m also still concerned about the pandemic. Which of my loved ones will I lose to it? Am I safe myself? Recently, there was a protest sign seen in London, England that said Racism is a Pandemic.
I’m concerned about global climate change. When that comes to a head it will be another burden just as serious as this pandemic, if not more so. It looks like its going to be bad in our own lifetimes, not just those of our children and our grandchildren. Some people are already having their lives turned upside-down by it. There are other concerns too including the availability of work, the overall economy and access to food and water. Then there’s the severe shortages in common sense, human kindness, global empathy and contagious solidarity or fellowship.
Someday, I hope that I’ll be able to say: “Where was I?”
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Adventures and Resources 
