Finding the bright side of the pandemic

My husband and I walk in our neighborhood every day. Early in the pandemic, we often passed a dog that would bark in greeting. One day, the dog’s owner was outside, and we told him we would be happy to take his dog along with us sometimes.

And just like that, we had a new companion on our lengthy jaunts. Marlie, a golden retriever-poodle cross, trots down the road with her tail wagging and her head high. She knows “heel” very well­—luckily for us—and will stop and point when she sees a squirrel or rabbit.

Nearly two years later, we still walk with Marlie almost daily, even through the cold winter. She sits in the window each day around walk time, waiting to catch a glimpse of us coming down the street to get her.

Around one million adults taught themselves to play a new instrument during the pandemic

I always wanted to play the piano, but never thought I’d be able to learn. Desperate for something to keep my mind off nonstop Covid-19 news, I decided to teach myself, armed with nothing but a newcomer’s enthusiasm and my son’s basic keyboard.

After two months, my modest progress inspired me to buy a digital piano. Playing became my meditation. More than a year later, I still learn something new each day. I also learned chess, and play with my husband or son almost every night.

And now, my most difficult challenge yet: English. It’s my second language. Reader’s Digest is one of my favourite ways to practice, picking up skills, knowledge, and tips. This has been my most productive year yet.

At the very beginning of the pandemic, I’d been widowed for three years after being married for 45.

My husband was in a military veterans’ group, and so was a man named Bob. He’d been single since a divorce in 1980.

I’d see Bob occasionally when I brought my tax papers into his accounting office. He called me in March 2020 to remind me of my appointment, and asked if I’d like to join him at his church sometime.

He sang in the choir. I also sing in my choir, so that sounded quite nice. I went in the next day to get my taxes done, and Bob made a little map to his church.

By the next Sunday, the world was in quarantine. No dinners, movies, or church services. Bob and I started texting, sending letters via snail mail, and talking on the phone. We spent hours every day getting to know each other and, yes, falling in love.

In June, it felt safe enough to meet. We wondered if it would feel weird to finally embrace—it didn’t.

We kissed and knew we wouldn’t quarantine from one another any longer. At ages 67 and 72, we are looking forward to a permanent future together. We were blessed with new love in a pandemic.

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Cycling saw an uptick during lockdown as more people looked for fun ways to exercise outdoors

After spending two weeks inside at the beginning of the pandemic, my husband and I decided to dust off our bikes. We started out with no plan other than to move, enjoy the outdoors, and get off our devices.

School was virtual, work was slow, and we were concerned for our health. Short rides became longer and longer. We found new roads, got lost, and enjoyed every minute.

Over time, we bought cycling gear, learned to repair our bikes, and pushed our limits. We conquered hills and long distances. We found peace in the back roads with cows and horses, and discovered beauty you can’t see from a car.

The pandemic may be a disaster, but it helped us rediscover a hobby we’ve loved since childhood. We are now addicted, much healthier, and much closer to one another.

I had the pleasure of teaching elementary students for 25 years, retiring just before Covid-19 hit.

That summer, my grandson was gearing up for his first year of school. Then it was moved online, and he was very disappointed. He is shy and became lost among 25 children competing for one weary teacher’s attention.

We decided to have our own classes to support his learning. The two of us hooked up by video call for an hour each day, having a blast practising our ABCs and 123s.

I’ve learned that my grandson wants to be an astronaut when he grows up, that he is going to walk on Mars, and that he is going to stop at the International Space Station on the way so he can study the “nebulous planets.”

I live a long distance from my grandson and would have never have had this time with him otherwise. It has been one of the greatest silver linings of my life.

Read more: How we solved COVID

Read more: The New Normal after coronavirus

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