First Person Singular by Wendy Braitman

Liz says:

I also had a wonderful connection with a friend today, by phone. Besides work, I’m trying to handle care for my mother who recently had a stroke. So I haven’t allowed myself to make time for friendship other than short texts. But it did me (and her) so much good to make time for a 45 minute phone call, even though it was a work day. And we didn’t take the opportunity for granted, but really connected. Both of us struggling to ensure our elderly mothers have adequate care and both of us scared and worried about it. After the call, I felt understood, supported and peaceful.

Paulette says:

I’m on day 29 of self-isolation (I have asthma) and am grateful that I feel good. My stressors are (1) my elderly mom lives on her own in another state, we talk several times a day but that is not the same as being there, obviously and (2) does anyone really know anything about how long we have to live like this? The uncertainty is frightening. I have no choice, I have to go to my bank this week (scheduled an appointment which is the only way you can do it now if you want to go in person) and I am terrified of leaving my condo. I have masks now, gloves, etc. Even when I go for walks (which I haven’t done for the last week and a half since Fauci and Birk encouraged everyone not to even go get groceries since these two weeks are critical), I feel nervous. And not to get political, but the current Administration has me totally frightened. I don’t think any of them know what they are doing nor do I think they care. It is all about $$$ with them–apparently they can’t get their heads around the fact that dead people (and people terrified of getting sick and dying) can’t restart the economy. I do my yoga to destress and cuddle with my companion rabbit (thank God for him, because like most of you, I live alone) and those things keep me calm most of the time. But there is at least one part of every day where I feel the anxieties start to rise.