Learning Curve
Thank God this Shakespearean tragedy is coming to an end
We started “lockdown” at Casita Nelson March 15, 2020. The Ides of March brought a smidge of irony to our situation — especially since I’m an English teacher — but the past 10 months living in a state of suspended animation also taught me a tad about myself, our soon-to-be-ex-president and even playwright William Shakespeare.
The Roman Emperor Julius Caesar died on the Ides (March 15) in 44 BC, assassinated at the hands of Brutus, Cassius and that bunch. Shakespeare memorialized JC in a classic tragedy of the same name. Major themes include the harsh realities of politics and the ethics — or lack thereof — inherent in statecraft, if you can call it that. In modern parlance, one can find the dilemma major characters in this tragedy face in two well-known aphorisms: Be careful what you wish for, and Power corrupts — absolutely.
What do Ancient Rome and modern-day eternal lockdown have in common? The English teacher in me would like to point to one of Caesar’s statements in Shakespeare’s famous work:
“Cowards die many times before their deaths.
The valiant never taste of death but once.”
To extend this metaphor from Act 2, Scene II, we’ve all faced different kinds of death, in a way, since the current occupant of the White House first dismissed the potential ravages of the pandemic. But we — not he — have survived the onslaught. We will only actually die once. Fools die almost every time they open their mouths.
Ten important “A, Ha!” moments I have had in the last 10 months:
- I don’t mind staying home. I have been described by some as “outgoing,” but I’ve never been a party-em-up kinda gal. The Virus Times have demonstrated that I am more of what could be termed an introverted extrovert. And more than capable of hanging out in my PJs for multiple days in a row. It’s not that I don’t miss y’all, but…
- I am excessively organized. After I discovered that trips to Costco and even my local grocery could be hazardous to my health, I needed a plan. And so I started meal-planning. The list below indicates some of what we’ve ingested on any given day the past 10 months. OK, I plan for dinners only and am somewhat flexible, but Moker & I check my list every day, then place a check-mark next to each dish after we’ve consumed it. I’m really not OCD; just like knowing what’s coming up.
3. I’m no longer a morning person. For most of my teaching years (23, to be exact), school started at 7:20 a.m., and teachers had to report at 6:45. I was about 25 minutes (going against traffic) from the school. So my alarm rang every morning at 5 (the thought still makes me cringe). I have no idea how I did that much for so long but I’m here to report the early-bird schedule doesn’t work for me anymore.
Our local market has “Senior” hours, 6–8 am. I did that twice, then had to take a major nap after each excursion, choosing then to shop with the “regular” folks. Until recently, going “marketing” — as my Nana would say — was my only quasi-normal activity.
But as virus rates rise again, I’m erring on the side of caution. We started grocery delivery last week. And I am more than grateful to the frontline workers who are helping us to get through this. My extreme gratitude is reflected in my predilection for large tips. It’s the least I can do. You should, too.
4. My kids have turned into my parents. Well, it’s not as bad now as it was last March, but the girls really laid down the law with us. We were getting calls multiple times a day for awhile, wanting to know our whereabouts and reminding us that Baby Boomers are the “compromised generation”. Appreciate the concern, chicas. And miss you, too!
5. I’m fine with celebrating milestones with carryout. Wedding Anniversary? Local Italian place. Mothers Day? Neighborhood pizza joint. Birthday? This year I’m hoping for Publix fried chicken, with perhaps coleslaw on the side. Plus, Netflix or Prime. I’ve learned to enjoy life on a much simpler level. That Bezos guy isn’t the only one getting rich(er) off the pandemic.
6. I have never been one to play the Blame Game. But pandemic changed all that. The Orange Ogre in the Oval Office can’t leave fast enough. He and his enablers have damaged our country in countless ways, and killed close to 400,000 of my Fellow Americans. Time for him to hit the road, Jack, with apologies to the late, the great Ray Charles.
7. In that vein, I will never forgive the current occupant of the White House for what he did to our Nation’s Backyard. Ever.
8. I never knew a simple medical procedure could bring me such sadness — and joy — at the same time. Yup, Moker and I both got our appointments this morning to receive the Vaccine. And yes, I capitalized the “V” Word because it’s that important. When we confirmed the dates — which are six weeks out — I laughed and cried at the same time. Sad for those who missed this moment because of a bungling bully — Happy for me and all my loved ones. My guy and I have been together 45 years. I’m not letting the Orange Oaf’s incompetence spoil our joy.
9. I’ve gotten back to my roots since last March. When I was younger and lived in my native Texas, I appreciated the wide open spaces. I’m into road trips once more, bigly. Just me, the radio and a long stretch of asphalt. What could be more fun while staying safe at the same time?
10. I know that I need to appreciate what I have. My family. My friends. Our health. Our general well-being. As my Nana would say, “Praise Jesus.” I do. Every day.
Cassius, one of the “bad guys” in Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar”, utters a prophetic line in Act I, Scene III:
“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in
our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are
underlings.”
Shakespeare’s text has more relevance to these Covid Times than ever before. We are stronger than we think. Sometimes we have to walk the walk, even if we don’t think we can. And it is not fate that dooms one to failure — it is one’s own weaknesses.
We’ve seen all of these themes in action the last four years, like a real-life Shakespearean tragedy. I, for one, am thrilled the curtain finally is coming down on Wednesday. I’ve learned a lot — but I’m not sure DJT has learned anything at all.
