David Jenkins: Pandemic has allowed for some self discovery

While the coronavirus pandemic has left many anxious, stressed and counting the days until we get back to some new sense of normalcy, it has also left plenty of time to learn some things.

The older I get, the less I want to learn. But this pandemic, as awful as it has been, has allowed me some self discovery.

One example is that I don’t need sports to survive. My whole life has revolved around what season it is, who is in what playoffs and what is the best game to watch on television on each specific weekend. But with no sports on television I realized I don’t miss them. If there was never another baseball game played I would be 100% fine with that. I didn’t long for a single dribble of the NCAA Basketball Tournament or a Jordan Spieth shot in the water at the Masters, which was shocking.

Instead, I have enjoyed my time at home, playing games with my wife and even completing a jigsaw puzzle for the first time since I was five. We have spent plenty of quality time together which I have enjoyed, even if some of it was me standing on the table doing karaoke. I suppose I have probably ingested way too much alcohol during this pandemic as well.

I have realized that I took small, every day things for granted. Remember how nice it was to go out to dinner or to the movies? Or maybe just sitting at your favorite bar talking to friends? I miss those things and can’t wait for the days when I complain about a lack of options.

I have learned that while I am thankful for a platform such as Zoom where we can still conduct meetings or Bible study group, I still hate it. I would much rather meet in person. Many times I have said “I hate people,” but in reality that just isn’t true. I miss chatting with people at games or restaurants and Bible study group.

And while I miss meeting and talking, don’t come shake my hand anymore. I never gave much thought to how easy that was to spread germs. I don’t think I’m gonna go for an elbow bump or foot touch either. Maybe just a nice, friendly nod and a smile. Hopefully we will keep the social distancing in the future, along with the plexiglass shields between cashiers and customers. I hope that becomes the “new normal.”

I’ve also learned that pandemics bring out the best in some of us. It has been a joy to watch things such as La Ruleta and Grecian Steak House helping Spread Hope Now serve meals and Fellowship Baptist Church and Health Facilities Rehab giving free meals to the community. Seeing BMU, who has taken a beating the last few years because of rate increases, giving back rebates on bills has been nice and just seeing the number of people show up to pray for healthcare workers at MDMC warmed the heart.

While of course I am anxious, stressed and worried about things like getting the coronavirus or if I will have a job two months from now, the pandemic has also let me discover things I was taking for granted. The key will be remembering not to take them for granted once we get back to the “new normal,” whenever that may be.

David Jenkins is co-editor of the Standard Democrat.