9' x 12': Chapter 4 - Pivot 2.0

2020 began on such a positive note. After two years of non-stop work, I escaped to the Sierras with family and friends for six blissful days of fun in the snow. Walking and playing in the pristine mountains with fresh, pine scented air lifted my spirits. A perfect, breath-taking, fresh start to the year. We made puzzles by the fire at night, built snowmen during the day, and ate lots of rib-sticking food. I was unplugged and delved into long set aside books to read with no real agenda. The ideal antidote to the day-to-day grind of the past 24 months. 

Refreshed and invigorated by all that alpine exercise I looked forward to the next few months of classes, events, and the momentous arrival of my first grandchild. I was also in the middle of planning a trip to France in mid-March (before the scheduled book tour) to finally see my father (whom I had not seen in two years) and to scout for new products for the online business, when we started to hear about a SARS type virus originating in China.  Just two days after my daughter Olivia gave birth to the most beautiful little girl (I am, as all grandparents are, completely biased) at the end of January, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Global Health Emergency. Three days later travel restrictions were imposed in certain countries. Dad and I spoke almost daily. ‘Don’t book tickets yet’ he said, ‘Let’s see what happens with this bug.’ There was a creeping nervousness in the air, with clear information hard to come by. I kept teaching and had a packed schedule planned for the next six months. Olivia and her new little family came to visit in late February. We had a joyous visit, but it was with trepidation that I said goodbye when they left for home. I had an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach about when we would be able to see each other next. Three days later the WHO declared the Pandemic. Things were rapidly spiraling out of control.