‘Cause they don’t have to worry about driving
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the whole world. According to WHO, over 6.5 million people died. Everybody’s lives have been disrupted. The news in every media is full of tragedy.
Here I dare focus on the silver lining. How many can I find in my life?
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Among the 90 some members, probably I’m the second youngest.
In the last eight years or so I have been in charge of putting together and sending out newsletters to members six times a year. I have to send it via physical mail to at least 10 of our members, because they don’t have email address.
Members enjoy social gatherings under the theme of Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) once a month. Thirty or so core members are involved in some kind of committees, and they have another meeting a month to discuss business.
Ever since the group was founded over 60 years ago, for the members, meetings meant gathering at a church or a community center, bringing cookies and cakes and serving tea during the discussion. Many have been loyal members for over 30 years, and now they love to show off photos of their grandchildren.
Then COVID hit.
All the meetings scheduled in 2020 were canceled. The May newsletter that year only had photos of Ikebana arrangements created by some members. That was the only thing we could feature.
The summer was over. Time to get back together, but how?
Several members came up with the idea of meeting online. They seemed to have learned how to use Zoom from their grandchildren. Even those who don’t have email address have a smart phone. Why not give it a try? So we did.
The first online meeting was far from smooth. The person who had the Zoom account didn’t know how grant another person access to be a host. Some needed help how to log on. Some joined unknowingly with two devices, causing terrible howling.
But as time went by everyone became better at the operation.
After over two years, we finally decided to get together in person again. Masks are required among us. Considering the average age of the members, that seems prudent.
“We should keep our business meetings online!” was the consensus when we discussed how to conduct our future meetings. “We don’t have to drive, we don’t have to get dressed fancy. Without stepping out the house at all, we can see old familiar faces.”
Grandmas became quite comfortable using the new technology!
That’s all thanks to the pandemic.
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What’s your silver lining?