If it’s not one thing…

It has been a rough few weeks. Two weeks ago, we were living with news of the approaching Fiona, her exact landfall in Atlantic Canada unknown. As the week progressed, every weather update had us more anxious, but we prepared as east coasters do. When the storm hit, it was our worst weather experience ever.

Summerside has its own electric utility so we had power before much of the island including our family. Our grandchildren didn’t have school so we had them over for a cooked dinner. Little did we know they were brewing Covid and contagious which we found out two days later. The following day, we had symptoms. We had avoided Covid to this point.

While neither of us had life threatening symptoms with Covid, we had the equivalent of the flu with no energy. My symptoms were worse than my husband’s though we’d both had two vaccinations and two boosters. My main concern was that the symptoms would continue for weeks like they do when I have a cold or flu. While I always have allergies, I haven’t had a cold/flu for a few years thanks to masking. Now we are both taking Paxlovid.

So the stress level has been extreme for a few weeks and we will be thankful to return to normal. Meanwhile, there are islanders who are without power still and it will be into next week before some are connected to the grid, more than two weeks post Fiona.

When we compare what we experienced to the people of Pakistan with flooding and people of Florida with hurricane Ian, we know we were fortunate with Fiona. When will others return to normal? Flooding and drought have affected the world food supply, as has the war in Ukraine. 

We can do our small part to help others during the catastrophes they face by contributing financial aid, but the larger problems must be addressed. What do we do about those? And though we want to return to our comfort zone, we shouldn’t be satisfied with a return to the status quo. That’s what brought us here. How will society at large harness the resources, knowledge and skills to tackle the problems? It is easy to despair but where does that lead us?

P.S.

On a brighter note, younger members of our family recovered quickly from Covid, although the adults took longer than the children. 

I mentioned previously how the birds were missing the day after the storm. They returned to the area the next day however. It was good to see them again. We haven’t been to the boardwalk as it is still under repair and we have been sidelined anyway. We hope to feel better and able to walk there again soon.

And finally, I have been reading your blogs but unable to summon the energy to comment this week. I always enjoy your blog posts which are an interesting part of my day. Many times the events of your lives in various parts of the world become part of the conversation between my husband and me. Blogging means I am interested in anything that happens in your part of the world which could affect you. It makes the world smaller! We may be isolated at home but not really! Blogging helped me through the long isolation of the pandemic! Thank you, blogging friends and Blogger.