Over the past weeks, several countries including Canada have been slowly re-opening. Over 80% of Canada’s population are fully vaccinated and so restrictions have been easing up. Dining in restaurants, watching movies, attending concerts/sports events, meeting together in houses and other activities have been more flexible for the vaccinated. Travel has been up and running again as more travelers are mustering the courage to fly out to destinations outside the country. Business establishments are back in operation and hiring people to get back to its normal track.
I am enjoying these moments. Last month, I had the opportunity to watch a movie with friends. It felt a bit weird at first. I was peeking through the doors, still a bit anxious to see what was inside. I have been regularly dining out with my father after Sunday church services as this is one of the things we missed during the lockdown. I have been meeting friends over coffee, resuming walks in the malls (too cold to do it in parks now) and even gathering in friends’ homes. In fact, I celebrated a friend’s 50th birthday party and it was refreshing not to think about headcount restrictions or social bubble (still remember this term?). In church, we had a fund-raising event where our group had the moment to showcase a Filipino folk dance and other nationalities presented theirs too. Volunteer opportunities are available once again and I had the privilege to serve in a food bank. Recently, I had dinner with coworkers celebrating my former manager’s retirement. The 9 who were present, were the first IBMers I saw in person after 20 months! We talked about our new downtown office and the prospect of seeing the modern interiors/amenities soon. This December, a group of friends and I have bought tickets for a walk through in “Nights of Lights” (limited to only drive through last year). When we were finalizing the dates and details, we were surprised how tickets have been selling out fast. We had to adjust from our initial plan because the time slot we were eyeing was already sold out. Another group of friends have scheduled a Christmas party at a friend’s house, and we were excited to plan out this gathering. We did a virtual celebration last year.
In my excitement to go back to my normal activities, it came to mind that at times I can easily forget on how far we’ve come to have this back. We may also lose track of the lessons learned, the heartbreaking losses, the devastation, the sacrifices of our front-line workers and many more from this pandemic. It is far from over and even that I believe serves a purpose. It reminds us of how frail we are as human beings. How our well-structured plans can be disrupted anytime. Above all, we are not in control of our circumstances.
I remember in the Philippines; typhoons would be a recurring phenomenon and the devastation it brings leave an unforgettable mark. There was one recorded as the strongest in our province that brought a deadly flooding. Our family had to flee our house and leave everything behind and make our way to our neighbor’s house for higher ground. I was reminded of this seeing the flooding in British Columbia. The scenes of devastation seem all too familiar. After the waters have subsided, we went back to our house and surveyed the damage. The grief of losing our material possessions was outweighed by the joy of knowing how fortunate we were to be alive, healthy, and complete. We took things in stride. We cleared the debris, cleaned up the mud and dirt, repaired whatever we can handle, one day at a time. We sorted through the canned goods left for our meals since roads were blocked and aid was trickling in slowly. We had no electricity and had to contend with lamps to provide light during the night.
I am reminded of the similarities of steps of restoration from a natural calamity to this re-opening. We take time to assess our lives and reflect. We remember the losses some more heartbreaking than others. We remember the mental agony of being locked up inside our houses, with limited activities and how we are gradually regaining back our freedom. We remember to be thankful for surviving the trials and challenges. We are grateful for the lessons learned, for appreciating more what we took for granted. We are grateful that we are alive and breathing and that there is hope and path forward for new beginnings. We take one small step after another to the road to restoration.
Before we revel with all the buzz of getting back to normal and go off planning this and that, may we remember to look beyond ourselves. We have loved ones and friends who experienced tremendous losses especially deaths that have brought deep sorrows. Let’s extend a hand and practical help. Going back to the flooding we experienced, I still remember the neighbors who came to help, who brought and shared fresh food and water. We also returned the favor whenever we can. I believe that we are designed to be thriving in a community. We are not built to live alone, to carry our burdens by ourselves. It takes courage and humility to express our need for help. It also takes the same to go out of our comfort zone and help others in need. The Covid19 pandemic will not be the last. There will be more catastrophes in the future. Even now, there are so many people who are in crisis not just by this pandemic, but by natural calamities, wars, conflicts, poverty, etc. Let’s be open, sensitive and be ready to support. Reach out to someone you know today.
The more we restore others, the joy it brings keep us on the right direction in restoring our own lives. Keep the faith and persevere, we will get through this in time.
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
"…When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’ And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
- Matthew 25:39-40
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