Do you remember where you were in March 2020? I was in my first year of law school, on Spring Break with my family in Florida. I was stressed, locked in on school, and my brother and I decided to get tattoos. Great combo, I know. It also just happened to be International Women’s Day. We were aware that something was going on, because our mom works at the local hospital in our hometown. But it wasn’t really clear yet what was going on. So back to the tattoos. My brother and I both picked symbols and got them permanently etched into our skin. Mine was the Venus symbol with the top circle made into a flower – my way of honoring myself and all the women in my life. To this day, I rarely see mine because it is on my shoulder blade. But when I get a glimpse in a mirror or a photo, it brings me back.
We were so blissfully unaware and yet we both decided to get our first tattoo the week the world shut down. If we had waited one week, we might not have ever gotten tattoos together. But, as the story goes, the world did shut down. I did not go back to Ohio until mid-April, and then it was only to get more clothing and pack up what I needed to stay in Alabama with my family for the spring and summer. It was such a disorienting time for me. I had uprooted my whole life to move to Ohio for law school, but the universe had other plans.
I moved back into my parents’ basement, despite wanting to be in Ohio being a law student. Although my plans fell apart, those spring and summer months of 2020 were probably the best few months of my life at that point. My dad and I built a self-watering garden, my mom and I spent hours baking, my brothers leaned on me for support, and I on them. I spent a lot of time in nature, I connected with friends virtually, and I learned that I did not actually want to be that far from my family. It is extremely difficult for me to think of that time and not be jealous of that version of myself. She had it all.
Isn’t that so interesting? I can look back on a time that was incredibly traumatic and isolating and find an immense amount of joy and peace instead. That little tattoo on my shoulder blade brings me back to that spring of 2020, and I can’t help but smile.
I wish we didn’t have to experience a global pandemic to stop. Stop moving and going and rushing. Listen to the birds chirping and babies laughing and feel the sun on your skin. The time that you spend with your people will become your most valuable asset at some point. Don’t let it pass you by. Stop and enjoy that time.