Me Versus We

For the last two years as we have struggled through this pandemic,. We have lost the people we loved most. We have tried to stay healthy and deal with every changing information.

During this period, I have observed two types of people.

There are those who think in terms of “I” or what they feel is best for themself and their individual needs.

There are those who think in terms of “We” or what they feel is best for their community as a whole, however the “we s” define community.

Most animals in nature live a “we” lifestyle.   Bengal tigers are one notable exception.

When we talk about these things in the abstract it is much easier to ignore the needs of the “we” in favor of the needs of the “me.”

Many individuals who were hanging on to health and happiness pre-pandemic have fallen off the edge.

I have been super careful during the pandemic. One of my closest friends in the world died due to isolation, hate, and lack of support from friends. While I tried to help her in a major way by having her move in with me, by the time she arrived her health was so bad that she passed away from chronic health issues a week later breaking my heart and setting me adrift on lonely sea.

Then one of my other closest friends couldn’t stay on his medication and lost his entire support system except for me. I was trying to be there for him but I failed and now he has been in a series of hospitals for nine months trying to get off the ventilator and regain his health.

I have friends who have died, I have friends who lost their sobriety. I have friends who lost their jobs.

For almost fourteen months I have been living in a cloud of grief while trying to take care of my own health issues and advocate for my own health care needs.

I understand the challenges of staying focused on “we” when all of us are physically separated and only communicating through screens.  We aren’t communicating effectively when we can’t feel the other person’s breath, feel the energy around their body, give someone a hug. Our separation drives us further apart.

Our lives depend on each other for love, food, shelter, hope, health, and our very existence on this beautiful planet we call home and I consider this planet part of my community.

For all my friends who have suffered so much and those who may still suffer, I ask you to wear that mask, please get vaccinated not for your sake, but for the sake of friends and family whose health is fragile.  I ask you to try to help stem this pandemic for me, our elders who have so much wisdom to share, those among us who are struggling with addiction and mental health challenges, my friends who are battling cancer, and so many more amazing and wonderful people who bring joy to my life and I believe to yours as well. Get a vaccine for them. Wear a mask for them. Wash your hands for them.  The world will thank you.