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GuelphToday has received the following letter to the editor from Ordained Salvation Army Minister & Educator Resident at The Village of Riverside Glen Lloyd Hetherington who shares his perspective on the COVID crisis.
I chose to move into my retirement home in early February. It was a home that had been on my radar for some time so I knew of the exciting life in the hallways, as family and friends flocked through the doors to visit. I was also aware of the dynamic concerts, lecture series and religious services conducted here.
But the script changed just days after settling in. The pandemic crisis forced a rewriting of the rules but in an amazing way, the ethos of my residence did not change.
The parade of people down our halls has changed. We no longer experience an influx of outsiders. However, there is a movement of residents within our pod and we are learning to get to know each other better, even if it is at six feet.
The team members are also filling the gap that we experience by their friendly gestures as they go about their daily duties.
Dining is at a distance but it is still a pleasure to greet my residential family at meals. The animated chats from table to table and the smiles across the room help to remind us that we are separated from our community out there but we are bonding as a family here.
Of course, we long for that link with family and that need is met through video chats, window visits and specially arranged visits by designated caregivers.
Do I long for the old way of life? Of course, I do. But I need to remember that even when the Pandemic becomes history, our world will have changed and I will need to face the new normal in the same way my parent did when the Spanish Flu of the 1920’s was conquered. For better or for worse life continued down that new path.
Lloyd Hetherington Ordained Salvation Army Minister & Educator Resident at The Village of Riverside Glen
