It’s an incredibly beautiful October morning…the air is crisp and I’m wondering if it would be appropriate to wear a sweatshirt to work! It’s just that kind of day when the leaves start changing and the air just ‘smells’ different. The front porches are all wearing their annual ‘Mums & Kale’ outfits and the trees are showing off their latest Orange & Brown couture! Oh, glorious October!!
People just seem to be a little happier; a little more light-hearted…have you noticed? Is it possible that it’s because we have been able to resume life as we knew it before everything seemed to stop two years ago? All those ‘little things’ we always took for granted have returned and we should all breathe a collective sigh of appreciation.
We can gather again as families; we are sending our children back to their classrooms; we are enjoying dinners together with our friends; we are traveling and making memories. Admittedly, let’s not be lulled into this false sense of security in believing that life hasn’t changed; it forever has changed but have learned to cope. We are accepting the small sacrifices we must continue to make to stay well and to protect those we love and respect. We are realizing the same precautions were taken for years during the Flu Outbreak season and we have implemented most of those protocols.
At Pickering, we have seen families coming and going as before without restriction. While checking in upon arrival and wearing masks during visits are required, we have loosened the requirements regarding the amount of time a family may spend with their loved one and the spaces designated for those visits. Normalizing this visitation process has been a labor of love on all sides and we so appreciate the patience of our residents, families, and staff during this arduous process.
So, let’s all slow down and savor each day with one another. Let’s breathe in that fresh October morning air that wakes us up immediately. Let’s sip our Pumpkin Lattes as we appreciate what life has given us; not what we’ve missed along the way. It’s in this spirit of gratefulness and generosity that we become better than we were; wonderful as we are.
Excuse me while I pour myself another cup of coffee!
See you in November,
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