‘COVID-19 has given us a little more time to ... step back from our usual madness’
Readers share their thoughts, feelings, experiences and observations about the COVID-19 crisis.
WELCOMING A NEW BABY
I gave birth to my baby March 23 at the Jewish General Hospital. They were amazing!
I took this photo Tuesday when my mom came to visit us at our home. But of course she couldn’t come inside. She hasn’t been able to hold baby Max yet.
It’s definitely a challenging time. I miss my mommy!!! Tamara Granatstein, Westmount
I’VE LEARNED TO SLOW DOWN
COVID -19: Something I don’t think most of the world thought they would face. How could our life come to a standstill like it did in China? Well, it did.
It is very clear that our lives have changed in a few short weeks: businesses are closed, schools are closed, travel is restricted, countless jobs have been lost and we are self-isolated.
Humans, whether we identify as an introvert or an extrovert, are not inherently “isolated” beings. We crave some form of social interaction, whether it is a party, an intimate dinner with friends and family or just a trip to the grocery store.
That being said, COVID -19 has given us a little more time to take a step back from our usual madness. There has been a change of pace in life, and an effect that will continue for a while, if not, forever.
If I have learned anything, it’s to slow down, enjoy my home, check a few more things off my list and connect with those I don’t normally. When we are all released from self-isolation, I am hoping we’ll have gained some appreciation for everything we’re so blessed to have.
Elizabeth Doucette, Côte-des-neiges
MY IMAGINARY GOLF GAME
I am a passionate golfer, not great, but love the game. When spring arrives, I am very excited and ready to golf.
I have a great group of ladies that I have been golfing with for many years and who love golf as much as I do. During this very difficult time, we have been communicating on a daily basis. Thank God for friends.
I recently sent this email to my golf buddies and we had a lot of fun with it. A lot of back and forth comments:
“Today I went for a long walk. When I started, I pretended that I was teeing off on the first hole. I went from hole one to hole 18. Some holes I made as if they were par 3 and most of them were long par 5. After 18 holes I felt like having a beer but no place was open, so I came home and had a glass of milk. That was my journey today and it made me feel better, it made me feel like I was on a golf course. Will do the same tomorrow.”
I figure that with all that is happening in our world today, if a little bit of make-believe helps, why not.
Hélène Cleary, Dollard-des-ormeaux
DELIVERING AN OFFER OF HELP
In these difficult times I just needed to give a shout out to my Montreal Gazette deliveryman, Egidio!
I am a caregiver to my elderly mother and he was kind enough to take the time to include a note with my Gazette offering to help us if we needed anything.
Troubled times do bring out the heroes!
Debbie Brown, Pierrefonds
PARISH GETS PEOPLE TOGETHER ONLINE
My parish, St-ignatius of Loyola, has taken various initiatives since the beginning of the pandemic. They started a Youtube channel and within only a few days started broadcasting online mass with a professional quality and while providing resources to parents for Sunday school for our kids. It’s incredible to see how they were able to get everything up and running with different camera angles, music, images and so on in such record time. It’s great to see how people can get together virtually during this time of uncertainty.
Karim Khouzam, N.D.G
How are you dealing with life in the shadow of COVID-19? We’re inviting you to share your thoughts, feelings, experiences and observations with other readers. Please send submissions of under 400 words to letters@ montrealgazette.com Please put “Montreal Stories” in the subject line and include your name and the name of the municipality or neighbourhood where you live. Shorter submissions may be considered for use as letters to the editor.