It’s been 215 days since the WHO declared a pandemic. I’m not sure whether that feels like a long time or a short time. But it’s 215 days, anyway.
So…how are you?
How are you really?
What do you miss the most?
What got cancelled that broke your heart?
When did you realize this wasn’t going to go away quickly?
Do you ever feel like you could just burst into tears at any moment?
How many times have you given up…but then didn’t?
How many good things have happened to you that wouldn’t have happened otherwise?
Who has been your unexpected support?
Which mask is your favourite?
Which neighbour do you wave to every time you see them?
What awesome place, really close to your house, have you discovered?
How amazed are you by the strength you didn’t know you had?
I’m not about to say that I’m glad this has happened, but hey: we’re still here. Workplaces have had to get creative. Friends have found new ways to hang out. People have taken the time to sit back and reflect. We’re taking a look at ourselves and our systems and wondering how they can be better.
And over in Ireland, filmmakers are falling in love.
Michael-David McKernan and Mimi Wilcox met on Tinder in Chicago last winter. Things went well enough that on a whim, she decided to visit him in his native Ireland for five days in March. Her flight landed on the 13th, just as lockdown began. Her return flight was cancelled, and the two decided (although really, what choice did they have?) to move in together. Time slowed down, and they entered a bizarrely accelerated relationship.
Being filmmakers, they documented the whole thing, and the resulting short documentary premiered at an Irish film festival last July.
It’s a heartwarming story of silver linings and happenstance, and it just happens to have a wonderful soundtrack by Ireland’s own Daithí.
What makes this a beautiful song:
1. The ambient birdsong reminds me of how much more I’ve appreciated being outdoors.
2. The looping piano line reminds me of waiting for something, but not being sure what.
3. The echoing, floating flutes remind me of emptiness, both good and bad.
Recommended listening activity:
Whispering a secret into your hand, and then putting it in your pocket.