I am on a group chat with my neighbors and my mom. We carpool each other's children to and from school. Well, I really think I am on the text chain as a courtesy since I leave and get home before all the kids start and end school. I only get to add the "thank yous" to the person who drops off and picks up.
Sometimes, we send each other random, fun texts for laughs. This weekend the messages started rolling. We joked about some of the memes that show neighbors having a drink and being social from their own driveways. We suggested doing the same. I joked that I am in! I didn't really think they were serious, especially since everyone has been hiding in their home (appropriately of course)! Then it was decided that I would bring out the fire pit to the driveway. Before I even made my way outside, there were already chairs set up. They were all about 10 feet away from each other. As much as it was nice to see other adult faces, it was also very weird. Everyone kept their distance and if someone walked within the seven foot range, the other person would awkwardly step away. While it was great to see everyone and feel, kind of, connected. It still felt wrong to be within 10 feet of other people - on purpose. I stayed out for about 10-15 minutes and then it was time for me to go in. It was really cold out and it was starting to feel uncomfortable. I think it is kind of ironic that we are all longing for some togetherness. Then I had it off for a few minutes and I was desperate to retreat back inside to be isolated. The fear is real, the fear of being socially isolated and the fear of being too close due to the virus. I think we are in a no win situation right now. I am looking forward to things turning to be more of a win-win situation. Stay healthy!
5 Comments
3/24/2020 10:20:32 pm
I'm pretty much staying in, except for the grocery store, but I'm really missing human contact. Today my neighbor stood on his deck, and I stood on mine, twenty feet away, and shouted back and forth. I think all of us are missing human contact!
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Susan Dillon
3/24/2020 10:31:18 pm
So true. The attempts at being social while distancing at the same time is hard and sometimes awkward. I'll be glad when we can just be social!
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Teri
3/24/2020 10:53:04 pm
I was having some of those same feelings. Wanting to have some friendly interaction, but also feeling a bit guilty. This will pass.
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Eugenia Kouts
3/25/2020 01:18:17 am
I have only left the house for 2 trips to Jewel for groceries and I was hoping that I would not have any human interaction; but on the other hand my girlfriends and I have been ZOOMing every night for a few hours because texting alone is not enough.
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AuthorI have worked in social work for over 25 years. The past 19 years have been within an elementary school setting. Archives
March 2022
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