Thank you for all the wonderful birthday wishes on Don’s birthday! I didn’t respond to the comments as they are really for him and he will read them later today. We had a lovely quiet and peaceful day. He loved his presents and I even made him a card as I had none on hand and wasn’t about to go into a store to buy one. It was a great day and a privilege to honor my husband and shower him with love.
The other day, I cleaned up the office upstairs. It was cluttered and Don’s desk was a mess. Plus, during the pandemic, we store some of our canned goods up there as we only have limited space in the kitchen. I took some pictures for IG and one of them was of this box, which is incredibly precious.
And this is the text I wrote to accompany it – I’ve made a screenshot of the post.
That last sentence is “It is far from over” – it’s been a bit obscured by the watermark.
When I think back to that time and what my grandmother shared with me, I am haunted by the loss of those young women. Grandma said they could see funeral wagons going down the road several times a day. She had returned to the family farm from nursing school to take care of her sisters. She also came down with the flu but she survived.
Since I have their funeral cards in my great-grandmother’s tea chest, I looked at them to check on the year they had died. 1920. Two years into the pandemic. 10 days apart. I can’t imagine what the family felt, the heartbreak of doing everything possible to save Rhoda and Maggie only to lose them in the end.
If you follow IG, you might want to read the post because some of the commenters have shared their experiences with people mocking them for wearing masks. In one case, my dear friend Deb shared that friends of hers who were wearing masks at the beach were spit upon.
Why such a reaction to wearing a mask? Why such animosity? And why such a determination to act as if it’s all over with, that all is well? We can lay some of this on Trump, of course, but not all of it. I know the answers – these are rhetorical questions – but this willful ignorance and anger and mockery continues to shock me.
The numbers don’t lie. And now we have the Trump administration turning its back on the epidemic – stupidly, because it won’t help his ‘numbers’ and it will result in more deaths due to their negligence.
Stay sharp and stay safe. I know that I am basically preaching to the choir here, as most of us are being very careful indeed. Don and I have already decided that we will hunker down here for as long as necessary. We managed a birthday celebration without going out to buy anything. I called it “Happy Birthday, Lockdown Edition.” We are fortunate that we can order online, that we can get necessities without too much contact with others. We have masks. We use them. We wash our hands continuously.
Stay home, my friends. Don’t start thinking that because some states have opened up that everything is okay. The numbers we have seen in the past few days tell a very different story. New York is doing well; relatively, of course, as there are still people who are ill. But because Cuomo was so strict about everything, we are seeing great improvement. The challenge is not to act as if we can go back to what we were doing before March. We can’t. Whether in NYC or on the prairies, we still need to be vigilant.
Stay safe.
Happy Thursday.
You said it all. You have a very personal story about the 1918 pandemic which was still around in 1920. It was so sad, and that same sadness is now still happening everyday . And the loss that happened in your family in 1920 is still being felt by you. There will be families in 2120 that will be feeling the loss of family that was lost to them during this pandemic. Wondering how their life might have been different if some of those wonderful people had not been lost. Thank you for this remembrance.
You’re very welcome, Tana. Stay safe!
Such a sad story about your great-aunts. Think of the talent, love and beauty the world lost. Think of what we are losing everyday, with so many falling victim to the current pandemic. I saw a Trump follower at the Tulsa event say “They didn’t make us wear masks with the other pandemics, why now?” Uh, ok. Can’t fix stupid.
I used to say, on leaving someone, “Take care.” Now I say “stay safe”, just as you did above.
Can’t fix stupid for sure. But I’d like to smack every person I see without a mask.
Stay safe, Melina.
Happy birthday to Don for yesterday.
Such a sad story about your great aunts, different times but similar situation. The difference then was that people looked after each other, took care of each other, whereas these days it’s me first and what I want is more important than anything and anyone else. I just don’t know where it will end.
Take care x
I don’t either. Thank you, Fiona. Stay safe.
My husbands Aunt (82 now) just told us of our family history with the Spanish Flu. Apparently his Dad and her had a much older sister who passed away from it. They were farmers, crops and animals. That winter was terrible. Many who were ill froze and were found months later, all the animals dead and people too if there weren’t others to check on them. She never knew her sister as was born after that but still, so sad and scary. She remembers the story vividly as her parents often spoke of it. My father in law passed on 10 years ago, he was older and was alive when that happened. He never ever spoke of it so hubby didn’t know the history. Yes, we all have to be vigilant.
My grandma spoke about it frequently. I think she needed to bear witness.
Stay safe!
Thank you Claudia for continuing to take opportunities to remind and reinforce safety issues with this killer virus. We live in Florida where our ignorant governor is so intimated by our equally ignorant president that he has not put in place the necessary controls to help stop the rise in cases in our state. We applaud your governor and wish we had the same guiding hand here. It’s up to each individual to try and stay safe and we will continue to do our part. It’s hard to believe we have learned so little in the hundred years since your family suffered such a devastating loss but here it is. Thanks for all you share and we pray for all to stay safe.
Such a sad story about your great aunts. There are many sad stories happening now, I’m
sure. I am grateful to “that woman from Michigan” who has been doing well.
Unfortunately, Michigan has quite a few idiots who love to hate her and make this political. Some want her recalled just because she is trying to keep them safe.
I am angry about Trump’s actions and his rallies. We are going to see a huge death toll in this country because so many people are in denial.
What a crazy world
we live in.
I am very concerned about the children too. If we’ve learned anything from this it’s how important schools are to our society.
School in the fall is not going to be “normal.”
All we can do is try to keep ourselves safe right now.
Take care.
PS…I finally saw Don’s Cheers episode. Loved it.
I worry about schools opening, frankly. I’ve heard from some experts in the field that they will not be sending their children to school in the fall. I wouldn’t, either.
Stay safe, Marilyn!
Yes. We have to ignore governors who are in Trump’s pocket and make our own decisions. They don’t care. So we must care about ourselves and about others. Stay safe, Janet.
A lot of my mother’s family was lost to TB. My great grandmother had 13 children and lost 9 and her husband to TB. My aunt worked as a nurse to get rid of that disease. But of course, Covid-19 is not going away without a vaccine or a good treatment. We will only know if that is possible with time. Until then masks and distancing is the only way to fight it.
How heartbreaking, Jan. I can’t imagine losing so many loved ones to a disease. Stay safe.
Hi Claudia, that’s tough stuff and very well said.
My husband is at the doctor’s office right now for a DOT physical that is needed to maintain his CDL even though he is now retired. He chose to do that instead of going to the MVA and and getting a regular driver’s license because he is sure there are less germs there.
I think society in general does not feel vulnerable, there has been someone there to pick up the pieces, or that happens to other people, or maybe they just don’t care. Well, I for one, know the feeling quite well when something horrific happens in a family, and more than once. Life is forever changed and not good.
Anyway, thank you for sharing your story.
Take care…
Kelly
You are very welcome, Kelly. Stay safe!
I was very disappointed in Az governor and a couple of VIP’s getting off the airplane with Trump in Yuma Az a couple of days ago. All the governor in Az has preached is wear a mask…wear a mask….wear a mask. And here they all walk off the plane together…..not social distancing…not wearing masks and acting like they don’t have a care in the world. Now I knew Trump wouldn’t wear a mask but I couldn’t believe what the others were doing! Hard to believe that Trump has that much power (though I know he does) Hard to believe that people want to get their picture taken with him so much they will do anything. What a bunch of wimps! So discouraging.
What kind of message are they sending? They say one thing and do another. Why would anyone endanger their life for Trump? It’s insane. Stay safe!
our governor did the same thing … wore no mask during photo opps with groups of ten or twelve people standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her on her current “tour” of iowa’s 99 counties. when a reporter asked her about it, she smiled an incongruous and insincere ‘cheshire cat’ smile and said “no one was talking … it was quick … i’m not sick … blahblahblah” … all while continuing to tell us to “wear a mask … keep social distancing …” and “i trust iowans to do the right thing …”. ugh.
stay safe and well!
kathy in iowa
Trying to keep in Trump’s good graces is never a good thing. That’s what all of these governors who don’t do enough to protect the electorate are guilty of.
Stay safe, Kathy.
We have a similar family story about the 1918 flu. My grandmother’s brother left home by train for a long journey to attend Oberlin College in Ohio. Sadly, he caught the flu and died only a few weeks after arriving there. What dreams did this young man have that led him to leave his small family farm to attend a college several states away? We may never know. My mother does recall that her grandmother (his mom) wore only mourning clothes for the rest of her life: black dresses with white trim in the winter, and white dresses with a black pattern or trim in the summer. So much sadness … how can people not take the current pandemic seriously?
How very sad. Just setting off for college and gone, like that, from the flu.
I don’t understand these people and their lack of concern for anybody but themselves.
Stay safe, Emily.
What a sad ,but so beautifully written post,Claudia. My maternal Grandfather died from Spanish Flu in Chicago during the winter of 1919.Grandma Anna had five children and her youngest was born a month later. Thanks to Jane Addams and her fellow social workers at Hull House my Grandmother was employed as a cleaner and the children attended the various programs. I always say that my claim to fame is that Jane Addams taught my Grandmother to sign her name! Grandma had never been to school so this was very important. She never did learn to read or write but could knit the most beautiful sweaters and was a terrific cook.
A heartbreaking and inspiring story, Annette. Thank goodness your grandmother had an association with Hull House!
Stay safe.
hej, annette.
sorry for the loss of your grandfather, but i am glad that your grandmother anna and her children (including your mother, right?) got some help during that very tough time.
as a social worker for more than 30 years, i know about jane addams and hull house. she sure started something! i pray that i’ve been/am helpful like her.
if you don’t mind my asking, were you named similarly for your grandmother? and do you cook or knit like her?
hope you and your family are safe and well and stay that way.
kathy in iowa
Hi,kathy in iowa! I’m not sure if this is the way to reply to you. My tech skills are not the greatest! Yes, I was named Annette because of Grandma Anna .Wish I could tell you that I am a great knitter,but I do enjoy knitting and find it calming. My maternal grandparents and my father were from Southern Italy, and I have tried to carry on some of those traditions in the kitchen. I do love cooking and recently my daughter,who is an herbalist,has begun teaching classes in Ancestral Medicine. xo
hej, annette.
thanks.
how lovely to be named for your grandmother! and i think it’s great that you and your daughter are carrying on family knowledge and traditions!
i am not very tech-y so understand. we do what we can, right?
i feel the same about knitting … i find it relaxing as long as i just do the basics (scarves, very simple knit-in-the-round hats, a couple of dishclothes) … nothing fancy by any stretch of the imagination! while i enjoy food, i don’t enjoy cooking/baking except when it’s for my family (i live alone) and i have a very tiny kitchen so i keep to simple basics when it comes to cooking and, fortunately, am fine with leftovers. :)
hope you and your loves have all you need and are safe, well.
kathy in iowa
Thank you Claudia, for sharing this story. I read it to my husband. We totally agree with you about this pandemic. It is not over and is not going to be for a long time. Yes, we need to stay vigilant! Be safe…….
We will. You stay safe, too!
I accept that some people won’t wear masks (I don’t agree but I accept that they have made their own decision) but I do not understand why they would harrass people who choose to wear a mask – and to spit on them – who does that????? Why do these people feel so threatened by people wearing masks? Is it because they are afraid that they are wrong? I just wish people would be kinder to one another.
I don’t even accept that some people won’t wear masks – although I know it’s true. Why? There is absolutely no reason not to.
But, I agree, why these extreme reactions? Why are they so threatened by someone wearing a mask?
Stay safe, Sharon.
I know this is something I shouldn’t probably say, but I think if the EU would actually say Americans can’t travel there, it would be a wake up call for some people. I doubt it will happen as the $$$’s from America would be sorely missed if they halted travel. This administration wants people to forget about the virus, and believe that life will be EXACTLY as it was if we just do that one simple little thing ~~ just forget and move on. When schools have to alter their schedules for the Fall and Winter will be another wake up call for those who use school as their primary day care. Until it affects people in some of those ways, they seem to be willing to go along with the myth makers. Once they have to face some actualities that will impact them, then possibly they will blink. But who knows………
I think they’re going to aren’t they? I read it is happening as of July 1st.
Eventually, everyone – mask wearer or not – is going to lose someone to this virus. And their lives will change forever.
Stay safe, Chris.
Only just read yesterday’s blog entry. What a lovely photo of you both. Hope your Don had a lovely day on his birthday. It will be interesting to see how this time of lockdown will be remembered and reported in the future. The numbers of grieving families is too much to think about. I just can’t believe how disgusting some behaviour is during this pandemic. Each day we hear about more degenerate behaviour which tops what was yesterday’s news. I wish it was all over!
Me too. As Don says (kiddingly) “I like coffee and about three people.” He doesn’t mean that literally as he has tons of friends but it is a reaction to all the despicable behavior going on during the pandemic and the past four years.
Stay safe, Robyn!
I’m with Don! 😉
xo
i am from one of those states that has re=opened almost completely.
people are crazy. i live in a university town with a young population.
they are kidding themselves. the pandemic is VERY real.
I will continue to wear my mask. and if that makes me supposedly weak and
over cautious… then SO BE IT! i will be alive at least! your voice is not wasted dear one.
maybe it has to do with how much we actually value our lives! xo
You continue to wear that mask, Tammy. We will be doing the same. Stay safe!
As I said in my comment yesterday, your IG post about your grandmother’s letters from her sister was one of several times you’ve made me tear up the last few days.
And your blog post today is spot on. Couldn’t have said it better. I’ve read that some people back then also refused to wear face masks. Maybe because of the news channels and social media these selfish people are more in our face than they were 100 years ago. I just know I do feel it personally when someone approaches me at the grocery without a mask on and with no intention to social distance.
Take care,
Kay
I do, as well. Thankfully, both of the mechanics we worked with today because of my dead car battery had masks on. It was a beautiful sight to see.
Stay safe, Kay.
I’ve been getting less sleep than even normal, so I’m over-tired and can weep at the drop of a hat, but your post today did indeed leave me with tears. I do know how a written history (letters; our past) can make it very personal and, in your case, so utterly tragic. It’s 2020 but I am so sorry for the loss you feel today (and that which your family experienced over a hundred years ago; again, it’s real, and nevermore … in heartbreaking symmetry … to what’s occurring right now).
I am gutted with my California’s sinking in its control of the virus. It was inevitable. Everybody saw the violations and the resistance to mask-wearing. I now live in a town with high numbers, in one of the worst counties for positive cases and hospitalizations in SoCalif, yet my husband went out this morning to deal with another car issue (although I felt it could have waited, since we’re hardly driving anywhere) and he was dismayed (although, granted, he was one of them) by the significant amount of traffic and people out & about on a weekday (when the weather isn’t even that great … humid and overcast, although the sun comes out midday), and this was in three cities of the county, such that it is apparent a great deal of people (9am, 10am; likely not all going back & forth to their workplaces) just aren’t taking things seriously and are refusing to stay home as they did earlier in the year.
An aside: I have a thick stack of letters my sweetheart parents exchanged from 1943-46 when my dad was away in the army during World War II. My folks were somewhat ‘promised’ to each other but very young and they didn’t actually get engaged til 1947. I delight in the letters on the one hand; yet, on the other, they make me so emotional/sad. When you have letters like this which have survived so many years, it’s such a view into a time and place, when it makes not just your personal history but also (in this case) American history just jump out at you more than any history book or documentary.
Thanks, Vicki.
Numbers in Florida and Texas have shot up. Both states opened too early.
Stay safe!
glad you and don had a nice day yesterday on his birthday. lovely photo of you two (from paris, right?) … frame-worthy!
sad for what your family went through, claudia … losing two of your great-aunts at such young ages and just days apart. glad you have those precious letters.
i, too, feel angry about people not wearing masks or social distancing … the bad numbers are going up again, not down! thankfully no one’s spit on me, but several times this week (just like every week, even after months of this pandemic and social distancing), i’ve had people say things like “you make me feel like i’m contagious”, call me “paranoid” and ask me if i am “afraid of” them even though “i’m not sick, honey”. i ask them not to take it personally, that people can have this awful, contagious virus and not know it, that precautions are reasonable and we all need to follow what the medical experts say …. sure wish everyone would do what is clearly the right thing to do, but that is obviously asking too much of some people. including my boss. she doesn’t wear a mask all the time and is not requiring the maintenance staff to wear masks. why? because one of them said masks “bother” his skin. what?!? makes me think of something i saw online (sorry; don’t know who to give credit for it) about this matter … “don’t like a mask? you’ll hate a ventilator. wear a mask!”
taking it easy tonight … just puttering around here. found a place for the painting i bought online a couple months ago and now can enjoy seeing it on the wall. eating a late dinner. avoiding some laundry. will do a little more puttering, wash the dishes and go to bed, grateful for a lot of things, including that tomorrow is friday.
hope you have a good night and stay safe!
kathy in iowa
My response is “Why are you so threatened by my wearing a mask?”
Thanks, Kathy. Stay safe!
I so agree, Claudia! Our family is staying at home and when we absolutely have to go out, we all wear masks. Both of my daughters are going to home school this fall because we do not feel it will be safe if the schools decide to open. My oldest granddaughter is a college freshman and her college has already announced that although they would like to open normally, it really depends on the numbers closer to opening. Everything she has done has been by computer including orientation and a scheduled meeting with her advisor. After missing her graduation ( a huge disappointment), this is not what she wants but knows she might be attending college via computer. But she is mature enough and caring enough to understand the importance of staying at home. Unfortunately, our family seems to be in the minority. As I say to my husband after watching the news: we are surrounded by idiots.
We are indeed. Though today, when we had to attend to my car battery and stop at the supermarket, everyone had on a mask. I sat in the car while Don went inside and I watched people going in and out – all masked. The man who came to jump our battery? He had a mask on. The guys at the local garage where we checked the viability of the battery? Masks.
And New York’s curve is flattening because masks are mandatory. If only everyone got on board!
Stay safe, Dottie.
Heartbreaking family story, priceless artifact. I feel certain that this virus will be with us in one form or another for many years, if not forever, and several of my friends are out of patience with me for my hunkering down. I miss them, but after all this time, there is so much about this virus that we do not know. And as for people who spit on or otherwise attack those wearing masks, I just don’t get it. If you don’t like masks, that’s your (stupid) business, but why be malicious towards those who do? I’ve read comments about recent comments from “that man” that appear to indicate he’s become resigned to losing the election. If so, he will I’m sure try to tear down even more than he has and engender more hatred, and the people who get satisfaction from this will also get more and more out of hand. Thank you for sharing this very personal and powerful story.
You are very welcome Nora. Stay safe!
This is incredibly powerful. In Lansing, a bunch of kids went to a bar (sounds like a joke, doesn’t it?) So far, 64 have tested positive for covid. What were they thinking.
Don’t you wish you could talk to them or have heard their stories. Those letters and that beautiful box are a treasure. But oh, what a reminder of how a disease can cut so short the lives it touches.
Yes. Heartbreaking. And the kids…they think they’re immortal.
Stay safe, Jeanie!