Early last week, my 15 year old niece Sophia said she hoped the COVID-19 crisis wasn’t making me crazy, because it was making her crazy. Wait, before I continue… is this kid beautiful or what. She’s already taller than me (she got that from her dad’s side of the family), but those dark eyes are her mother’s, my sister Shawn.
Anyway--I already knew this pandemic was taking a toll on her, and while my heart goes out to Sophia, at least she’s safe at home and not infected. I can’t help but think back to when I was her age, when I honestly wondered if I’d ever finish growing up—at 15, days seem more like weeks. But at the same time, it surprises me how different her life is compared to ours back then.
If this pandemic had struck 45 years ago, would mine & Shawn’s lives have been so disrupted? No, I don’t think so. While Soph has the luxury of Dish TV, Netflix, Wii, her smartphone, her computer—she’s an only child. (Well, sort of… Soph lays claim to a brother & sister, but they’re from my sister’s husband’s first marriage, and were on their own when Sophia came along). So her mom & I had none of her magical devices, but we had 5 brothers & sisters to play with, plot with, fight with. Kids need kids, it’s as simple as that.
So while this “forced distancing” is easy as pie for me—I’ve been in social isolation since December 2018 because of my broken jaw—what’s making things a little crazy for me isn’t Trump (he’s making me a LOT crazy) but these people with their personal tales of woe. If you need to work and haven’t lost your job (like my sister did), what do you have to gripe about? I’ve got one friend I love dearly, and laments that everyday now feels like “Groundhog Day”. (That’s actually a good analogy.) I’ve got another who says eating at home everyday is killing her appetite and ANOTHER friend who says he’s going nuts without his morning Starbucks. Tom, you get to work from home full-time now; you have no complaints! Buck up!
Anyway, I love these guys… but sometimes I think they’d be better off sharing their stuff in a blog.
It works for me...
Getting back to Sophia--she’s so stinkin’ smart, I hope that after all of this is over and she’s back out in public again, she isn’t found by some model scout looking for fresh faces (and tall skinny figures). I want to see her use that brain of hers to make the world a better place… it already IS a better place for having her in it. Love & miss you.
Yes she is pretty and you say smart also? Can't beat those pluses. Besides she has a cool uncle.
ReplyDeleteI know, if you are healthy, eating and money is coming in, what is so bad about a little me time.
Thanks very much Patti, I think half the reason I blog now is so I can hear from you :) Yes, Sophia has always been a straight A student and a champion athlete, I just wish she didn't have such a nerdy uncle :)
DeleteLovely, smart Sophia with her whole shiny life ahead. Go girl! At fifteen I wrecked (double rolled actually) my parent's only car. Not hurt but it did calm my speed craziness. Your niece, no doubt, is much wiser. I wonder what lessons we'll learn when the current pandemic is over. Did humanity learn from past ones?
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Florence--and I'm going to show my niece your comment as she just told me her mother is letting her drive in a nearby parking lot. Gulp... :( Anyway, you sure raise a good question--it seems to me people are learning all over again, and the hard way.
DeleteShe does look beautiful with dark eyes, and her height might make for a good modeling career. Or else, she might become a doctor and help sick people get well.
ReplyDeleteGigi you're very sweet, thanks! She really does have a model's figure but is a brainiac--I think she'll do great whatever she ends up doing. I just can't believe how fast she's growing up... I'm sure you felt that with your own lovely daughters.
DeleteShe is definitely a beauty, Doug. I’m so glad you’re not suffering from all the enforced quarantine measures. I’m so nervous about going out. We haven’t gone food shopping in a month now. The quarantine must be harder for the young people.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kay! It's great hearing from you, I know how busy you've been with your sewing! I didn't know you hadn't gone shopping for a month, wow... but if you don't have to, I don't blame you. I don't think we can take this pandemic too seriously.
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