Gratitude during COVID-19
Not in any relation to easter, I woke up this past Sunday crying tears of gratitude for my family and virtual community. The past few weeks have not been easy. As time progresses, I feel a collective realization that things will not return to “normal”. However, a guest lecturer in my class today reminded me that “normalcy” brought us here, therefore, we should not want to return to “normal”. Reflecting on this, my hope is that we come out of this having done deep, self-reflexive work in order to better engage with our communities. Still, I’m finding respite in the creativity of connectivity. Out of this sense of gratitude, I reached out to Platform community members and asked what they were grateful for on easter Sunday - regardless of religion, faith, or tradition. Here are their responses:
“I am grateful for the technology we have and the ability to see my family while practicing physical distancing.” ~ María Ignacia Miranda Santis with Womxn’s Voices for the Earth.
“Today, I am grateful for my family and my mental health. Both are rooted in hope, faith, love and growth. Through these difficult times, my healing begins with my family’s transcending connection and continues with my ability to self-reflect and appreciate the little things.” ~ América Ramírez with the Colorado Organization of Latina Opportunity & Reproductive Rights (COLOR).
“Rest. As a faithful follower of the nap ministry, I have come to understand: rest is my right, rest is resistance (against all that is oppressive - especially capitalism), rest is reclamation of my time and energy, rest is a reminder that (like Jesus) though I’m divine I’m human too...and my body craves and deserves rest.” ~ Javon Bracy with Iliff School of Theology & New Hope Baptist Church.
“When we are put in a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual quarantine it allows for a time of reflection. During this pandemic, I’ve come to realize instead of giving into the fear and panic of what is taking place today, I’ve chosen to make an attempt to be grateful. I am most grateful for my health at this moment, so many people are suffering. I’m grateful for the people in my life, the ones I know (the ones I miss dearly and pray for and couldn’t do life without, especially during this time) and the ones I don’t know that are maybe fighting for their lives to help us get through these hard times. I’m grateful for all of my memories that I made before this pandemic- for some reason when I look back, everything just has a more nostalgic and endearing feeling to them. I’m grateful for all that I have now (a shelter over my head, food, clothes, heat, a job, family and friends, and all the necessities in between- especially WiFi!!!!)
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I miss everything and everyone so much and wish things were back to normal, but we live in a new normal for now. In a way, I guess I am grateful that this is a moment where time is stopped or rather a wake up call and we can reflect, face, and improve ourselves and our systems. It’s truly a humbling experience as I can’t help but turn to God to hope and depend on Him. This is a time as I have truly become more compassionate for this world and the people in it, and how it is more imperative to find and live my purpose because time and health is a precious thing.” ~ Pauline Kim with Platform4Womxn.
Thank you to the voices of Platform and other organizations for contributing to our collective gratitude. I am wishing the Platform community and beyond all of the health and happiness during these unprecedented times.
Cuídense ~