Does Omicron mean never having to say you're sorry?
As we write this month's column, Sonoma County has again issued a health order temporarily canceling large gatherings and encouraging residents to stay at home. Brooke has had to postpone a long-planned weekend to celebrate her daughter's 40th birthday, and Melanie and the Cloverdale Senior Center board of directors have, out of caution for their senior members, reluctantly decided to temporarily pause group activities in the center. So, things are not all flowers and bon-bons in COVID Cloverdale this month. Fortunately, we can focus on a friendship that has flourished during COVID times: our own.
Brooke on Melanie: I live right across the street from the Senior Center, and as a former employee and ongoing volunteer, I have a deep love for the place and its members. Melanie Hall is exactly what the center needs right now. Melanie has guided the center through seasons of fire and pandemic, and she's always risen to the occasion with flexibility, creativity and calm. As we've gotten to know each other over the last few years, we've found that we have so much in common. We're even the same age for half the year! Since my world has gotten smaller, it's a great joy to me that I can grab a quick cup of tea and have a chat with "Mel H." in the garden.
Melanie on Brooke: One of the best parts of my job is meeting seniors in the community I have lived in for 27 years. When I met Brooke I felt an immediate connection. She gently mentored me with various events like the Holiday Tea, giving me support and her wisdom. We then found out that we are the same age, our children are similar ages, we share love for our community and so many other things in common. Whenever I needed a listening ear or advice I could walk across the street and know that Brooke was there for me. We have had tea together, gone on walks, shared sorrow and positivity during COVID and companionship. I am blessed to count Brooke as one of my friends.
Carol Russell is a former Cloverdale Mayor and City Council member and co-wrote "Cloverdale Comments" for many years. She shared her thoughts about companionship during COVID.
"To COVID we humans are all the same. No one is born safe from its potential attack.
"If we have them, no wonder we typically turn first to trusted biological family members and spouses/partners for the comforting bonding and resulting reassurance we so often need in truly tough, uncertain times like these.
"Yet, especially amidst all the demands, dangers and crises resulting from the Covid pandemic, it’s not always possible to enjoy this traditional kind of true and precious companionship. When trusted members of our biological family and spouses/life partners are not available to travel with us emotionally and intellectually in a positive yet sensible spirit (if not also physically) as we experience all the largely unmapped and typically rocky roads of life, we need to turn to and also be available to our friends.
"Lucky for us, true companionship is easier to create and sustain now than at any time in human history. Amidst all the dangers and disruptions, we’re able to communicate directly and even “travel” together via communications technologies rather than in person or hampered by the limits of postal communications and old phones.
"My wife, Roz Katz, and I are grateful beyond words for the dearest friends we met upon moving to welcoming, caring, wonderful Cloverdale two decades ago. They are truly our “Found Family”, an expression from the 70s-80s describing those very special people you are so lucky to meet and who welcome you into their lives as you welcome them into yours and who are not only your Found Family, as you are theirs, but who are also your true companions as you are theirs.
"Best of all, whether we’re giving it, receiving it or, even better, active in both, true companionship can provide special nourishment for our body, mind and soul because we know we are not alone even amidst this pandemic. Nor will we leave others to be."
“Some people will hear you louder in silence. Those are your tribe - they'll get you through the tough days and give you something to laugh about on the ride.”
― Nikki Rowe
