“Please don’t read if you are more comfortable with my censored self, over my candor.” 

Since leaving the Holiday Season of 2019 behind, I had been praying in my way, for the world to go back to the good part of the seventies. You have to understand that it is all about perspective, and my perspective was from the point of view of a 6 year old at the beginning of 1970, to that of a 17 year old at the end of 1980. I lived a very sheltered, protected and somewhat ignorant life – but my family was everything. I’m not sure if that was because “FAMILY” was drilled into me, or if it was some ‘thing’ that I was born with. I loved my younger self’s life. I loved being the ‘baby’. I was the youngest in the house, but the oldest on the block, so THAT made me the COOL kid, boss of the block of my homies – that’s right, my posse of kids spanning to as young as 8 years younger than myself…. oh yeah, I was real cool. They built me. They turned me into the person I am. The one who loves to be the entertainer and the educator, the shoulder to cry on, and in turn not too strong to cry on another’s. We spent endless hours talking, actually out loud speaking with one another, until from the front porch of my house I heard the words, “Hey… MaryAnn…” – which sounded more like, ma dee on – heard from the mouth of my Italian immigrant dad, where he stood gesturing to his wristwatch, speaking with these words to follow, “…it’s 9:00… on the porch.” The streetlight out front, caused his gold plated, stretch, wristwatch band, to shimmer as if to punctuate each word. Off to the porch I ran.

These last few weeks we’ve come to realize things about ourselves. I’ve always been hyper-aware, and even I, have had moments of deep self reflection noticing more of the good part of the seventies in others. Families getting their exercise together in the park for instance – cell phones are not in every hand – I’ve even heard that teachers have been getting love notes, so-to-speak, from parents who are now home-schooling and pulling their hair out, YASSSS teacher appreciation – and the kindness shown to our medical personnel, with each evening’s cheer of genuine gratitude. Respect! In a weird way, I’d say, I got my prayer filled. I really wish it hadn’t come at such a loss of life, and I REALLY WISH the lives lost because of the selfishness of some humans, could have life breathed back into them. We the people, is all of us. WE need to do our part. All of us.

I addressed this in my last client newsletter. Stay home unless you must step out for necessary items, or necessary fresh air, or a bit of exercise, but please, social distance when you are out there! To mask or not to mask? Only you can answer that but think people, think for yourselves. What do you know about this virus. #1: not everyone shows symptoms, so you can pass something you don’t even know you have on to another – it comes from expelled air – a mask sounds like a good idea to protect others – BUT, your choice! and #2: not everyone is wearing a mask, and there you are, running a quick errand to the grocery store, and someone is talking on their phone then laughing…. yep, laughing….. Do you know what happens when you laugh, or hell, even just talk? Yep, air is expelled, and there you are on a possible collision course with the scary virus, now granted, it could hit you in the eyes too, but, as Meatloaf sang in the seventies, “two out of three aint bad” – a mask sounds like a good idea to protect yourself – BUT, your choice! 

I was exchanging a usual how-do-you-do as I walked by the doorman next-door, in a not so usual way. There was at least a six foot distance between us, and we were both wearing masks. One thing I realized in the moment of interaction with the gentleman next door, is that this new normal, gives us the opportunity to focus on the eyes, dare I say soul. Connect.

Let’s talk about this mask thing; mask here, means a way to cover your nose and mouth with something that makes sense. Using something that stays up securely, so you don’t need to touch your face, or hold your head in a strange position to keep it in place, IT DOES NOT MEAN, MEDICAL MASK. Medical professionals need medical masks, please keep that in mind when making your choice. Speaking of the seventies, break out those bandana’s. A washable material means it’s reusable, so you also get to be green! 

Stay safe all. Until next time. 

We’ll see you a bit down the road.

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