Freshman 15 or Covid-19?

 

Years ago when I set off for college, everyone warned me about gaining the “Freshman 15”—those extra pounds coeds pack on during their first year.  Today, after weeks of sheltering at home, I’m worried about gaining the “Covid 19.”  The parallels are striking. Both then and now, I’ve had to embrace a new lifestyle with a less structured routine. I am physically cut off from friends and family and the emotional support these familiar networks offer. And I’m spending more time sitting around in sweat pants and stress-eating snack foods.

Meanwhile, others in America are serving tirelessly on the front lines to provide health care and essential services. Many are suffering physically, emotionally, or financially. Clearly there’s a big difference between those of us who slump on the couch from boredom and those who crash from exhaustion.

The current global pandemic is unprecedented in living memory.  One day, the Class of 2020 will tell their grandchildren how they were restricted from attending their senior prom or walking at graduation. One day, an entire generation of school children (and their parents, gasp!) will remember the spring break that lasted three months. One day, this year’s newlyweds will recall how they married without the benefit of wedding guests or a reception.  This is big stuff, so cut yourself some slack. The most vexing experiences often make the best stories.

Today is the 16^th of May. I know this only because it is our wedding anniversary. I doubt I could guess the day of the week correctly. And I can’t tell you which anniversary it is until I count up on my fingers that it’s been 28 years since Mark and I married, happily, with the benefit of guests and a reception.

I remember well that warm Saturday morning when I showed up at the church only to be surprised—the city of Clayton, Missouri had chosen that very morning to repave the streets surrounding the church. I found road blocks, orange safety cones, and fresh tar, oh my! Who can predict such anomalies? Thankfully, vexing experiences make good stories. My husband and I can say—literally—that we set out together that day on a new road.

Isn’t this the way life works? As a coed, I once took a journey with my dear friend Thea through the country of Morocco. Do I remember the picturesque palm trees, the spice-filled marketplaces, or the labyrinth of medinas?

Nope. I remember being crowded among locals on a dusty, bumpy bus ride when suddenly the boy in the opposite seat became sick, threw up on Thea’s leg, and got me so tickled I nearly wet the denim skirt I’d been wearing for 10 days straight. Ah…what a perfectly imperfect day!

So embrace the crazy surreal reality of our Covid-19 world. Spread out in your pajama pants. Order a pizza.  Watch another video.  Be thankful if you are well.

This season won’t last forever.  And once it is passed, we might miss it a bit. Ah…the stories you’ll tell—one day!

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