Connections
I won't take up too much of your time at all, and before I start talking about connections, I will ask you to go and donate. I'm being forward, I know, but this is important. Your donation to the Edmonton Food Bank--however small--will buy someone a warm meal. It will ease someone's worries a little, and if that isn't worth a few bucks, I don't know what is. And speaking of connections, it doesn't matter where on this planet you are. If you want to give, you can. Thank you.
So connections. They are important. In this plague year, they
shifted, more to the digital and away from the personal. Some of us have not
seen family members in months. I can't remember when I shook someone's hand
last.
At the same time, thanks to the power of connections, I was able to help several students succeed in their final exams. They have now graduated and are moving to the next stage of their lives.
Friends that were once close have moved back to different countries earlier this year while the situation was still new and raw and developing. There was and is sadness there, because rapid change is never easy.
At the same time, I feel that digital conferences have allowed more writers to partake than in-person ones. I still want to meet with fellow authors irl, but I truly love the idea that the digital space allows more people access.
And another hugely valuable area for connections: when I came down with Covid not too long ago, people checked in with me, and it didn't matter that they were from four different countries. Truly, I was moved by this, especially because I was in isolation for several weeks, and knowing people were there, even if "there" was sometimes oceans away, helped.
So, please, stay safe. Remember to socially distance, not just for you but also those around you. And if someone you know is sick or won't be able to visit with family this holiday season, remember that you, yes you!, can be their connection. All it takes is a phone call, a text, anything that will let them know another person cares.
Alexandra Seidel
December 18, 2020
