Covid Christmas ‘21 to Elections ‘22: Whimpering Hope

How to Seniorly Enjoy Lockdown and Survive

When we get to being 60 and over, we think of being lucky we’re alive; with Covid19 health pandemic around, I feel that time could run out so fast we should outspeed it by slowing down. After all, I still have lots of things I wish to accomplish so maybe it will be advantageous to befriend the Old Father.


Religiously Follow Health Protocols: With These Hands

Personal hygiene is so paramount I need to do it before and after anything else such as washing hands properly. I am thankful for clean water and disinfectants; there could be people with no clean water source and money to buy a bar of soap. Whenever I go out, which is once in a yellow sun, I put on a face mask and shield after trekking up our slope to get to the jeepney line; otherwise, they will literally take my breath away. Once on board, I feel protected but at the same time make interaction among familiar passengers weird, like the time I smiled at a neighbor seated in front of me. At least she nodded back; she must have imagined my smile.

Sanitation comes next. We clean the house as often as daily especially the kitchen where food is stocked, prepared and cooked. Other rules we follow include disinfecting the bathroom and toilet, general cleaning as often and no longer just every-before-Christmas season. Oh, ‘tis the season.



Recall Your Milestones: I Must Have Done Something Good

I find it helpful now to remember things I did that made a positive impact on people significant to me.

I was born and grew up in a big family of nine children but had enough basic things with both my parents working for a living. When it was time for me to work and earn, I was glad to have provided for the family during lean times and somehow give back and show my appreciation for a good growing-up life.

I have a wonderful family life with loving children who make every struggle easy to overcome. I learned that parenting is an intellectual as much as an emotional role I ought to be good at while I mature in the process. Decision-making based on values play a crucial role here, no matter how seemingly painful making them get to be; for me, they turned out to be sound in the long run. I appreciate that now.

I had meaningful moments in my government service, one of which was the time my report as a Social Services Specialist for Health was used as basis to get a court order for a cement factory to suspend operations until it acquired a precipitator. My report proved that cement dust emissions from the factory caused health deterioration among children and the elderly in the nearby urban poor resettlement area where I worked. My Project Manager was glad and gave me a handshake.

At another moment, I was a member of an inter-disciplinary team tasked to pave the way to a national development project via community relations. We realized how much rural folk value land and that giving it up, even partly, was unacceptable. After rigorous and emotional community meetings, a compromise was reached and our team successfully got no less than a Presidential nod to change the approach from relocation to upgrading of sites and services. For this, I got a meritorious service award.

Working at an Indochinese refugee processing center, our team dealt with interethnic conflict. One late night a violent stone-throwing happened between two groups that prompted us to immediately meet their respective leaders and members to restore order. It was a tough situation and we gave a tough administering hand. No peace meant delayed processing to their countries of final destination. Finally, most of them have been deprocessed and did well in their new home countries. For this, I received heartwarming smiles from the refugees as they left the camp.


Mind Your Gallstones: Just a Spoonful of Sugar

Using just a pinch of salt and limiting sugar in our daily diet could make one feel that life couldn’t be any harder. Yet it becomes a must knowing that the virus breeds easily on a weak immune system. Eating the right kind and amount of food, having required liquid intake, getting adequate sleep, religiously taking maintenance medicines, and doing regular exercise are proven health habits to prolong life as they build our resistance against illnesses. I cheer up thinking I am able to do all these things for my body, even when they all turn out to be really easier said than done.


Treasure Your Companions: No Man Is an Island

Nothing beats interacting with another human at this time, no matter how short that is. Thanks to the internet technology we could still get and give updates from and to loved ones, colleagues, and friends through virtual communication. I know people my age who live by themselves yet take effort to go out either to go to work where they meet with coworkers or just take a stroll with a neighbor while making sure they follow health protocols. My dear friend in the USA, a classmate from high school to college years, is a joyous companion as we talk for hours on the phone. I have wonderful in-laws who usually drop-by to hand me foodstuff and goodies, and I have my husband and three working children with me who make me feel provided for, comforted, and secure.

And, yes, as we reside within the nation’s vegetable-growing region, I cannot forget the farmers in our area who generously leave sacks of carrots, potatoes, cabbage and other produce for us folks to share for free. I have greater admiration for community life during this period in our history.


Entertain Yourself: Dance to the Music

The health precautions required for this pandemic have limited my going to regular places except when I need to see my doctor and buy medicines. So, I make the most of time. I write about anything that I have the passion to write about. A piece may take me weeks to compose and I find that rewarding in the end. Grateful for the time I have now, I rediscovered the sense in worth-it writing similar to the time when I was with a weekly women’s magazine or when I wrote lyrics of original songs my brothers and sister recorded for a music company. When taking my 30-minute walk around the house, I make movements similar to a dance and usually end up laughing at myself. After chores, I cuddle in bed and listen to my preferred music, continue to view a television or movie series, or re-read a favorite book. Most special to me now are mealtimes when my husband and my children get together and talk about politics, career, and daily joys of life. At this point, I marvel at how critical and analytical of experiences and events my children have become. This challenging time is turning out to be good-to-meet at my age.


Pray: Morning Has Broken

I am alive, it’s a new day! It’s amazing now how much I get to appreciate sunrises and sunsets, mountains and plains, sun and rain, ups and downs, forgiveness and happiness. Significant people have died from covid19, a great number among health care professionals who are essential to the fight against the pandemic. I contribute to this effort by taking care of myself the best way I can. Keeping in mind there’s more to the miracle of life and the universe to experience is what keeps me going, and to continually defy the covid19 culprit by being here today - when I get to see yesterday’s tomorrow. As always, I agree with the rest of believers: keep the faith!


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Image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay