Pandemic Reflection by Gwen Hart
A Pandemic Poem from Gwen Hart...
It was March of 2020 When Covid made the scene This won’t last long, I thought to myself, And we can get back to a normal routine
I’d just retired (in the nick of time) As things came to a screeching halt Businesses closing, except essentials Finger-pointing looking for fault
Having worked in hospitality for so many years Ensuring everything was just so, All the sudden I had time on my hands But there was no place to go!
Driving on Tates Creek or New Circle Road With very few cars in sight It was becoming increasingly obvious That the future was not looking bright
Going to Kroger, distanced and masked Was a reason to get out and about Standing in line on Senior Day To get Charmin before it ran out!
Everyone stopped each day at 5 To hear Andy address the state Happy hour had a different look As we got his Covid update
So many feelings invaded my head Keeping frustration at bay Fear of a deadly fast- moving disease Taking more lives every day
So scared when it happened to one of our own We all prayed for Jeff every day So overcome with gratitude and joy When I heard that he was ok
No in-person church, per the law What in the world would we do? No Sunday School class or worship service At least not where we’d sit in the pew
Our staff was quick to fill the void So we could watch from our laptop or phone Complete with live music and even communion And we could chat with each other from home!
Watching vignettes of friends reading scripture While sitting out under a shade tree Or leading the Call to Worship And sharing duties with the whole family
I enjoyed recording some of those Gave me such a sense of inclusion Felt connected to all our church family Although we were basically in seclusion
I learned so much about our folks From Vespers on Wednesday night Aaron so good as the host of the show And Biscuit was such a delight
Whoever came up with the Zoom concept Gave us a blessing and a way to converse It is an awesome way to keep connected Although some might consider it a curse!
When we gathered at Shillilto Park the first time It was so great to talk face to face The emotion was just overwhelming That shelter was full of God’s grace!
While I watched our services week after week In the comfort of my favorite chair Our talented staff made it look so easy As they worked so hard to prepare
Every service; the videos, the music and timing Was executed to a tee It took a village of work and time Just how blessed could we be?
Two, in particular, stand out to me That absolutely deserve a prize, The Candlelight Communion service Literally brought tears to my eyes
The sanctuary was so beautiful Many candles were perfectly placed Though we couldn’t all be together The feeling was completely embraced
When we still weren’t together by Easter The choir zoom was off the chart! Coordination of each choir member Produced an absolute work of art!
I know now without a doubt, That no matter how worried or stressed, We are all there for each other, And that we are truly blessed!
This reflection is part of our church archives project to preserve records of our life together during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though we still find ourselves in the midst of this exceptional time, we hope these reflections will serve not only as accounts of where we’ve been, but as reminders that we are not alone, and encouragement that we journey forward together. We’d love to hear your reflections too! We will only publish reflections to our blog with the authors' consent. To submit or find out more, contact Pat Ingram (patingram609@aol.com).