We're all grieving for what we've lost since coronavirus upended our lives. You probably have a long list of what's been taken away from you. Feel free to share. In the meantime, here's what I miss most:
Taking my registered therapy dog Audi to churches, assisted care facilities, and public gatherings, where she and her fellow therapy dogs make everybody happy.
Going to monthly events like First Thursday in Hillcrest, Argenta Artwalk, Second Friday Art Night in Little Rock's River Market, SoMa After Dark, and opening artist receptions at Gallery 26 and Cantrell Gallery (despite a recent clever plan that, instead of a full-blown reception, would admit three to five people into the gallery for 15-minute periods to admire artist Patty Criner's newest work, a plan that got shut down by state edict the day before it was to happen).
Meeting friends for coffee at Starbucks, Mugs, Blue Sail and Boulevard Cafe. Virtual coffee get-togethers aren't the same without the burble of other voices in the room.
Shopping somewhere besides amazon.com. For that matter, it would be nice to want to go shopping, period. It's hard to care about buying stuff when there's nowhere special to wear a new outfit, nobody to see a new piece of art on the dining room wall, little need for a spring-patterned bedspread when the only creatures getting enjoyment out of it are the dogs. Well, that's a little compensation, as it's a delight to see them enjoying themselves.
Having friends over for dinner--and all the cleaning, planning, purchasing, table-setting, cooking, and anticipating that are part of the ritual--and anticipating what's in store when I'm invited to their homes for same.
Arkansas Travelers games, not because I like baseball all that much, but because it's fun to watch people there while drinking a beer, eating a hot dog, and making my MLB-savvy friends feel super-smart when I ask them to explain a rule or a play to me. Maybe I'll learn to pay attention to what they say.
Personal interaction with my smart, funny, talented and supportive co-workers, limited now that many of them are working from home. We're in near-constant communication via apps, texts and emails, but to say that's not the same as being there is an understatement.
Interaction with my neighbors beyond waving at each other from our porches. At least they're outside walking their dogs.
Caring about what I wear. Being interested in how my hair and makeup look. Keeping up with laundry and not wearing the same two pairs of jeans all week.
My fitness center, especially the lap pool. I really miss that pool and my fellow swimmers, who often tease me about being in the zone while paddling along, lap after lap. I tell them that I'm busy solving the world's problems during the hour I'm there. I guess our present conundrum is one I haven't managed to fix.
Azaleas. Oh, they are all around us--especially in downtown Argenta--blooming brilliantly, but nobody is taking much notice of them. The tulips and daffodils got short shrift too.
Traveling anywhere. At least I can use my imagination on where to go next. Whenever "next" is.
Hearing about something other than coronavirus on NPR. The newscast hosts must be exhausted with the barrage of bad news they're delivering every day.
The members of my spirited, engaged, argumentative, and well-informed book club.
Our former Hillcrest neighbors' annual Gin and Ham gathering on Easter afternoon. The hosts supply the gin and ham, guests bring side dishes and desserts. We smuggle a slice of ham home for the pups along with whatever baked item I brought, which is usually ignored in favor of more spectacular fare.
Learning all sorts of curious and useful information at the interesting Preservation Conversations staged by Quapaw Quarter Association.
Hillcrest's monthly potluck gathering of like-minded women known as Shakti.
Movie theaters and film festivals.
Arkansas Arts Center events.
Parades and other public gatherings, and the people who go to them.
Going out to dinner, just as we finally started exploring some of the exciting new (to us) restaurants in Argenta and downtown Little Rock. Nearby favorites so far are Soulfish Grill, A.W. Lin, Samantha's, Rebel Kettle, and Diamond Bear. Next: Three Fold, Hill Station, El Mezcal.
Let's not make lists of what might not be happening in the coming months. This can't go on forever. It just can't.
Karen Martin is senior editor of Perspective.
Editorial on 04/12/2020