The Week the World Went Home
One year ago… Sunday, March 1, 2020
Before I begin, let me share a premonition.
It was Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019.
I was in the throes of completing my dissertation.
I looked out at my backyard and thought, “Next Easter is going to be very different.”
That was it. Nothing else. Just a strange feeling of dread and uneasiness accompanied this thought.
And all that year, during the proceeding days and months, I kept wondering WHAT would be different? WHO would be involved? HOW bad would it be? WHEN would that difference happen? WHERE?
At the time, my husband was going through the early stages of doctor’s visits to determine the cause of persistent shortness of breath.
At the time, my mom was 92 years old.
At the time, my children were living far away from home- one in San Francisco, the other in central Kansas.
January 2020.
I started boxing and I loved it. Sweat, sore muscles, gym friendships. I never thought that I’d be that person, but then I found myself at the gym at least 3 times a week.
The world was just learning about… what was it? The Cor-o-nah?
A virus? Very catching. Spreading fast. Started in China. Showing up in other countries.
I attended three concerts — one jazz, one chamber music, one a youth symphony.
I started a new semester of teaching at both the University of Massachusetts Lowell and Fitchburg State University.
I was excited to begin and already dreading the end of my winter break.
February 2020.
More concerts and a fundraiser. (Did I mention I do development work and promotion for a regional symphony orchestra? The Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra in Milford, MA.)
On February 16, my husband, my mom, and I went to our friends to celebrate Valentine’s Day. I made a chocolate cherry cake. It was delicious.
March 1, 2020
School was chugging along.
My students were working on their research projects.
One student wanted to find out more about ‘ the corona virus.’
They were calling it ‘what?’ COVID-19?
I wondered how successful he would be? I wondered if there was enough information out there? I wondered what he would learn and how he would translate and relate that information in his paper. And to his peers? It would be a ‘wait and see.’ But I’m never one to discourage a student’s interest in a topic, so I said, “Sure. It’ll be interesting for you.”
March 1st was a Sunday. From my photos, it looks like it was a chilly day, but there was no snow on the trail on the conservation land.
The following week would be busy with getting ready for Spring Break.
The following week would be busy with getting ready for The Claflin Hill Symphony Orchestra’s 4th concert of their 20th season — Favorite Destinations concert.
The following week, my son and his girlfriend would be visiting from Kansas and Michigan, respectively.
I remember a certain but vague uneasiness.
An expectation.
A dread.
At that time, I did not know how my premonition would transpire.
