Out west, in Toronto, Canada, Bill Taylor leaves no stone unturned as he examines daily life in a health crisis and comes up with a list of things to remember to do and maybe a few to avoid. Bill's dispatches, and some others from London and Madrid, are assembled in this group of Salut! articles ...
The mother of all notes from the trenches:
ACTS OF FAITH
Getting out of bed
Showering and getting dressed. In the morning, rather than the early afternoon
Combing your hair
No, combing it properly
Cleaning the house as if someone was coming over
Trying not to wish too hard that someone was coming over
Talking back to the radio. Or not
Talking to yourself. And answering. Or not
Walking as if you’re not a little afraid to be outside
Being okay with being a little afraid
Acting your age. But first deciding what you want that age to be
Checking in on friends. Checking in on people you’re not that friendly with. Just… because
Keeping a discreet eye on the old guy who lives across the street. Giving him a wave even if you’re not sure he sees you. Making sure he sees you
Refusing to think of yourself as the old guy who lives across the street
Forgiving some of your enemies. Not all of them, just one or two
Looking at a Facebook post and thinking, “Jeez, how dumb is that?” And then liking it, anyway
Showing solidarity, even if you’re not really feeling it
Lying, if necessary, when it’s the right thing to do. Knowing when it’s the right thing to do
Admitting to yourself that you’re only human but not admitting it to anyone else
No longer expecting anyone else to be fooled
Letting yourself cry. And then pulling yourself together and carrying on as if nothing had happened
But not expecting anyone to be fooled
Not making a mountain out of a molehill but not trying to make a molehill out of a mountain, either
Coming to terms with the thought that your hair might wind up in a mullet
Accepting that time, which you now have lots of, does not necessarily equate with patience
Navigating crisis after crisis and then flipping out over a missing jigsaw puzzle piece. And knowing that’s okay
Keeping up your traditions. Picking up a take-away of food from your favourite restaurant and drinking a bottle of their wine rather than your own
Leaving your usual tip even when you’re only there long enough for them to hand you a bag and wish you well
Not letting your concerns about money turn you into a skinflint. Balancing needs with wants. Acknowledging the importance of both
Giving more than you take. But taking when you have to
Staying close while keeping your distance
Telling a store clerk she’s a hero. And meaning it
Allowing yourself to think, “What if...” Just not all the time
Letting it out. Holding it in
Being afraid of the dark. Not putting the light on
Trying not to dwell on where you were six months ago. But remembering it was Bilbao – or wherever – and you were loving it
Picking up a run-of-the mill bottle of wine from the rack. Putting it back and choosing a better one
Smiling at strangers. Without coveting their loo paper
Little things
Breathing when you’re out of breath
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