6.22.20
A year ago right now, I would have been lifeguarding at the waterfront during “camper time” at the beautiful YMCA Camp of Maine. This year certainly looks a lot different than previous years; my heart aches for the pristine Maine woods, and the sound of laughter, campers, and fun summer activities.
Fresh out of college and unemployed, like so many others, there are plenty of reasons for me to worry about the future. Chiefly, this summer looks a bit wild and interrupted, especially by packing up my apartment at my alma mater in early July on an empty campus and on my 21st birthday, and trying to reschedule an important surgery. While I understand the gravity of the situation, I also recognize the need to grieve. Many adults have told us to stop being selfish, and to think about others. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t scared, and aren’t hurting, too. Everyone’s world came to a screeching halt in March 2020, and it’s more important than ever to remember to tell your loved ones you love them.
That being said, there are also so many reasons for me to be thankful right now: I am grateful I have a roof over my head, food on my plate, and am living in a relatively sheltered 55+ community, where people seem to be taking COVID-19 seriously. Additionally, I am grateful that I was able to spend the last three months with my best friend in Vermont, while I was finishing up college and also exploring all of Vermont’s beauty. These aren’t months that I’m going to get back; I will never get a traditional college graduation ceremony, nor will I ever see many of my college acquaintances again. But I’m working on finding peace with this. Studying for the GREs, researching graduate schools, applying to jobs, and working on my physical fitness has helped to keep me sane these days. And, of course, venturing out into the great unknown, the one place I don’t need a mask.
-AZP
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