Quarantine was a really unique experience in my life. I think it was that way for a lot of people, because no one born after 1920 had really ever faced a pandemic. Quarantine seemed like a small blessing at first as I was granted more time to spend with my daughters and my family. I was very appreciative of the time we had together, and it was such a surprise to me how much my daily routine was ingrained in me, and how different my new life was. Sadly, quarantine became more and more of a drain rather than a blessing. I saw a lot of the people around me struggle and hurt. One of my best friends’ fathers died, and it made things so real, especially since she lived in a different country. Everyone was being affected by the coronavirus and no one was safe. Not only were people dying of the coronavirus, but I had people in my life suffering from other things. One of my coworkers had a heart attack, and yet another had a husband that had a stroke. I think that in the end, quarantine taught me the fragility of life, and to cherish the things that we have, because we won’t always have the things we are so thankful for.

[submitted on 5/5/2021]