This jar contains all of my orts from January 2020 onwards. The orts are usually discarded in the New Year but I am thinking that I am going to save this jar and its contents until we are out of this pandemic. These remnants represent so much uncertainty, tears, pain, trying to cope, trying to survive and trying to lead all at the same time. I became a manager at work at the same time that the fella' was heading off to a 60 day rehab for alcohol dependence and that the vaccinations against COVID were ramping up here in Canada.
There has been a great personal cost in dealing with this pandemic, both personally and professionally. The uncertainty, the complications of trying to get anything done whether it was grocery shopping or taking the dog to the vet, the anguish that I have felt in trying to be cheerful at work to meet the needs of my staff and patients while dealing with a series of health issues and stressors at home, the isolation from family and friends, the everything. I could not work from home and I work in healthcare. My health and safety and that of my loved ones was top of mind 24 hours a day in the face of mask mandates, constant cleaning at work and trying to figure out how to work under the current public health guidelines so that both my staff and customers felt safe. I am not in a position to retire just yet although this pandemic has inspired me to make a plan to get out of healthcare in a few years or at the very least, work part time. The price that I have paid is complete and utter exhaustion.
We are all doing the best that we can to get through the day, the week, the year. I wish each and every one of you good health, love and peace. Happy stitching!
