I was working on an outdoor flower pot this afternoon when the postman started up the sidewalk to our house. In other times I would have said "hi", and taken the mail from him with a smile.
What did I do?
In my mind, I was thinking "I don't have a mask on." But my reaction said a whole other thing.
I've read stories of health care workers who walk into a store to buy dinner and people flee. Now, I the same thing to a man who is risking his life delivering the mail, an essential service that we tend to take for granted. Like garbage pickup. Or mass transit (I did grow up in New York City in a family that didn't own a car - which was not uncommon in the 1950's and 60's).
I looked up flowers that symbolize apology, There are several, including blue hyacinths (which are really purple.) So today's picture is a little bit of a rerun. I took this picture on April 16, 2013.
My mail carrier won't see this but I have to change this state of mind I am in. So, OK, it wasn't my finest moment.
I have a feeling it wasn't his first experience like this, and won't be his last. In the meantime - I can't spend the rest of my life afraid of other people. Because that is what that reaction was - pure fear. And fear must be faced.
Joining two #WordlessWednesdays this week.
Sandee at Comedy Plus
Natasha and Esha at #WordlessWednesday.
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Yes, we have all changed the way we think about other people, haven’t we?
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the 24/7 news coverage of this pandemic has got us afraid of our own shadows. We need to just calm down, turn off the news for about a week and do what we know is the right thing. Have a blessed week.
ReplyDeleteIf people turn off the news you'll feel much better. There is so much fear being spread around. We know to wash our hands often and wear our masks around others. We'll get through this.
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Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday. ♥
True! A lot of mixed emotions and reactions all around..
ReplyDeleteCan definitely sense some amount of fear and hesitation in even the minimal interactions. There is a need to retrain our minds to better handle people interactions in the coming days..
Lovely picture of the hyacinths :)
Take care.
- Priya (https://softypinkngloriousred.wordpress.com)
You can always leave a little gifty apology for the postman the next time he comes :) I think of the 6 ft rule when encountering anyone, especially when not wearing a mask. (I don't mask up for walks outside.) I back up to give them 6 ft of space. Most are doing the same thing, so we manage.
ReplyDeleteI think, jmo, why not leave a bottle of water for him with a note? I know those guys (and girls) are working really hard. We have a new mailman and he has been delivering by 8:30 am every morning now for about 2 weeks. I finally caught him this morning and thanked him and handed him a bottled water. He was very nice and said thank you. Stepped back and tipped up his mask and opened up the water. ANYWAYS---where was I? I don't know, grin. Hey, so you think Binghamton is going to open?
ReplyDeleteYou can simply apologize- telling him, given the situation, your mind reacted to you not wearing a face mask, so you immediately retreated. It's what happens when you spend 6 weeks quarantined. And, thank him for the mail deliveries. He will appreciate the sentiments.
ReplyDeleteIn this part of the world it has become so stigmatized that though comparatively few in comparison to other countries, whole families are ostracized. It is a question of survival I suppose and also you don't want to run the risk of infecting your own family. Sad but true.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had the radio on in two months, I never watch TV news, and only glance at the newspaper. My rule is that if I cannot do anything about it, just ignore it. Too much hype about this. I still marvel at how I worked in a hospital during the Hong Kong flu and did not have to deal with this 24/7 news coverage and drama.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure many of us have had negative over-reactions to something lately, but it's good to realize that it needn't be that way.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to share at My Corner of the World
It's so great that you did realise and added in your little apology to him with these lovely flowers, even though he may not see them. But I know energy has a way of traveling out to people and things.
ReplyDeleteIn these tough times it sure is natural sometimes to react a certain way, which we wish we never did. But what finally matters that we look within and work on changing those patterns.
Much love to you Alana. What a beautiful post. I'm sure many of us went back with a lesson or two. God bless.
Don't blame yourself Alana. Times are such and he must have understood. Its wonderful that you are aware that your reaction should be mellower and not out of fear and in your heart you apologized. Life teaches us many beautiful things. That we understand them and implement the leanings is growing as a human.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing ...... am sure its insightful for many.
Have a happy week ahead Alana :)