Our community has been extraordinarily vigilant and lucky, and we have lost fewer people to the pandemic than have other communities. But each loss represents a family. Each loss was harder because of the circumstances and the isolation imposed.
We must continue vigilance and hope that our luck holds out until vaccinations begin a mass roll-out. This month, our oldest community members will begin to receive the precious vaccine. As they begin to do so, we can begin to breathe a little easier. As each of our most vulnerable is inoculated, one more person is more protected. That is a cause for optimism.
When you ask people what they miss, the answers are usually something like “hugs,” “my grandchildren,” and “my friends.”
We all miss the sunshine in the depths of an Ottawa winter. Twice a week for years now, Melanie and I have had a standing appointment with a trainer. It’s late in the afternoon, and so we trudge off at 4 pm and go home about 6:40 pm. I can always count on her to bemoan the loss of light as the fall gives way to winter. Conversely, as winter transitions into spring, she is practically bursting with excitement as we experience sunshine first when we go there, and even more when we leave.
That is precisely where I think we are in our current circumstances. There is seasonal optimism in the air and so too there is (or should be) pandemic optimism. When we can all get outside for more time (I am not a winter person) that optimism will be even more pronounced. While we will not have big family seders this year, I think we will next year.
Let us all continue to be vigilant and hope and pray for luck and good health. Better times are coming soon.
From my family to yours, we wish you a healthy, happy, and optimistic Shabbat Shalom.
Take care,
