Who Are We Now?
I made this comic art (need a better word for it) a week ago in a moment of feeling weirdly nostalgic for the weeks of isolation and solitude brought by the pandemic. When will we get a forced retreat from the world? (Fall? Trying to stay positive). Like many, I went into lockdown kicking and screaming. And also like many, experienced anxiety, fear and loneliness, and learned new things. Like, I live by a bird sanctuary! (Ducks are very aggressive, it turns out). The beach hosts a sunset almost every night! I live near some cool people. My neighbors will stand and talk to me for hours and analyze a text a guy sent me. I don’t really have to drive to find community or connection to nature. I know not everyone’s lives are so fortunate (hello, East Coast city apartment dwellers). But I have lived here for over two decades and a long time ago decided that I was languishing, victimized by the astronomical housing market in LA. However, like a Tom Hanks 80s movie twist, I learned to appreciate my life. (Did Tom Hanks ever go through that? I don’t know, I just still crush on 80s Tom).
Humans adapt and so I got used to it. Then came the vaccine and now the things that I longed for – dancing, comedy, friends – that I now feel overwhelming to me. I have been dancing outdoors four times. The first time I only danced with two people and it has taken me a month stop dancing with a mask on. (I am “vaxed). I promise you we were not built to run or dance with masks on. Only yesterday did I finally feel comfortable being around a group of friends and acquaintances in that unfamiliar state that I can only describe as “community.” These were mostly people I have seen, talked to, or been friendly with for the past fifteen years. Most are not close friends. In the beforetimes normal community issues abound, not everyone likes each other or talks to one other. But it felt different than before. I felt this really sweet happiness in being there. The act of turning to someone I know in passing and asking about their job, health of their family or mental state in a sort of filled me with a peace and happiness that I have yet to experience with ducks or sunsets.
About a year ago, my neighborhood was on lockdown due to looters who took advantage of the protesters. I felt like an earthquake to the social fabric of the world. I don’t think that feeling will ever truly leave.