Wake Up

Pat is having a bad dream but she is unable to wake herself. At least that's what it feels like.

Nothing, yet everything, in her world is normal.

She is a stay-at-home Mum, staying at home. She is home schooling her three children and their lessons are up to date. She is preparing regular meals, and doing the bookwork for the farm. Her husband's routine remains the same, the milk tankers come to collect as usual. The cattle are fed, cleaned, and everything is sanitized daily. The children are talking to their friends and playing computer games. The family plays board games some evenings. She and her husband read and watch their favourite series on TV.

Then there is COVID-19, the novel corona virus, the corona virus, the pandemic, the social distancing, the constant news breaks, the government actions, the testing, the deaths, on and on it goes.

How can so much be happening in the world and her life remain so normal? It's so surreal she sometimes wants to pinch herself and she holds her children so that she can feel them against her body, and touches her husband's shoulder or arm.

She doesn't want to be too obvious about any of these gestures. She doesn't want to frighten the children or upset her husband with any kind of hysterics. She is making meals that everyone really likes, and special treats for the children. She likes to sit with her husband and have a drink, more often. If they've noticed a difference they haven't said anything.

There is a store of food that was for hurricane season . It will be awhile before they have to venture out beyond their own property.  She hasn't experienced the lack of traffic on the streets, the empty grocery shelves, the line-ups for cashiers. She hasn't had to wear a face mask.

Some of her friends are still working in what is considered essential services. They are scared every day. They don't make a big fuss but they're scared. They tell her what it's like.

The family should have a discussion, talk about this.  They can't keep their heads buried in the sand. The children are old enough to talk about these things.  Their friends must be saying something.

Is everybody trying to protect her because they sense something is wrong with her?

She has to wake up.

She will wake up

NOW!


Homespun Stories and Poetry