By Susan Morea and Char Finn

We’ve been thinking how important it is to tell our stories of this pivotal time in history as the pandemic is changing and disrupting our normal way of living. Each of us carries our own fears, frustrations and losses as we stumble through each day. We are dealing with uncertainty and loss of control not to mention fear for ourselves and loved ones. Our routines have been curtailed, our relationships disrupted and our safety threatened.

In talking and sharing with friends and colleagues near and far, we have been encouraged by the creative and adaptive ways people have found to keep connection with others.  From Zoom birthday parties to happy hours on outdoor patios, we have collectively managed to stay connected with our friends and family.  Grandparents, isolated from their grandchildren, have watched Easter egg hunts from their cars, baked cookies to drop off on front porches and learned new apps like House Party and Caribu to play games with their grandchildren.

Writing our stories is not only therapeutic for us but also a benchmark of the sign of the times. Who knows, at some future date, our stories may give a perspective on life during this time. We also find reading stories of how others are coping and thriving are encouraging to us all. This is an invitation to put some of your thoughts and experiences, in whatever form you wish, on paper to share safely with others.

Please submit your writing, poetry, essay or short story and feel free to share this invitation with others of our generation who may enjoy this opportunity to share their stories. Our hope is to have your personal perspective and not a polished product. Send you story to: susanmorea@aol.com or finnchar@gmail.com