Greetings to all ABL Alumni and Friends. This is Rich Gorham of
Andover Bread Loaf. I write this on March 18, 2020, at the start of what seems
like a new chapter in all of our lives, as we deal with the crisis of the
Coronavirus. This has impacted all of our lives in extraordinary ways. Through
this blog, we hope to share our stories, to remain connected with one another,
to continue to support each other. I ask the first question: What are you doing
to take care of yourself and your loved ones during this crisis?
Personally, I am at my home in North Andover, Massachusetts, USA.
Last Friday, March 13, I was teaching my Period 7 class at Lawrence High School
at about 2pm when we got the word that the Lawrence Public Schools were closing
for two weeks. I came home after that and I have pretty much stayed at home
since. I am connecting with friends and colleagues through electronic media,
and working with other ABL folks to think about how we can support ourselves,
each other, and our students. The one happy outcome is I am finally getting
enough sleep - my usual schedule does not support that. My sleep is fitful,
however, as I suspect is true of many of us. My neighborhood is mostly quiet.
Each day, seemingly each hour, I learn of more businesses, organizations,
enterprises that are closing their doors - the public library, Lawrence City
Hall, the YMCA, local restaurants. Last Friday, the Lawrence Schools said they
were closing for two weeks - it seems increasingly unlikely that will hold up,
and speculation among many is that we will not return to school this academic
year. What all that will mean remains to be seen. It is the unknown that
produces anxiety, an anxiety I know we all feel, as we wonder what will happen,
and worry about our loved ones.
I recognize that I benefit from enormous privilege. I am healthy.
I am in my own home. I have plenty of food, books, internet, and Netflix. I do
not have children to care for, keep occupied, and reassure. I am not a medical
professional or first responder whose job puts them in danger. I am connected
with many supportive friends and colleagues. I am not concerned about money. I
have a health care plan. My family and close friends are all healthy, as of
now. I am old enough in the world to feel confident that this is not the end of
days - that this too will pass. Nevertheless, I am anxious - for myself, for my
family, my friends, my colleagues, my students, our world. To take care
of myself, I am eating all the ice cream I wish. I am binge-re-watching my
favorite TV shows. I am sleeping late (7am is late for me.) I drink coffee. At
first I watched CNN 24/7, but now I have learned to turn it off, and turn the
symphony on. My next step is to develop an exercise plan - to walk outside, to
do yoga, to meditate.
And, I am listening to this extraordinary rendition of Nessun Dorma by an Italian opera singer from his balcony while in quarantine -
And, I am listening to this extraordinary rendition of Nessun Dorma by an Italian opera singer from his balcony while in quarantine -
What is happening in your world? What are you doing to care for
yourself?
I slept 90 minutes later than usual: 6:30. I wrote my daily schedule and took a lovely walk in the park before starting to work remotely. I'm grateful that I'm ok.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing! Please let us know your name.
DeleteRich, I can see you in your house, and I am grateful that I can. This is such a wonderful vision in my mind. The beautiful backyard with your trees and plants getting ready to start budding. Down here in Southeastern AZ, the blossoms are budding on the trees. Spring is a wonderful reminder that life carries on in nature.
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