Sunday, July 26, 2020

Corona Changed Everything

I am no worrier. I've lived in Israel for a very long time. I have friends. I even have childhood friends who also moved here. I work, I bought an apartment, I did IVF and had a baby, I've been a single mother for almost 12 years. And all this in a language I'm not 100% comfortable with.

I hate the weather in the summer which is far too hot for me, and getting hotter apparently. I hate the national pass-time of hiking in the countryside because I can't see any countryside - only Mediterranean scrub. Otoh, I love it that we live 45 minutes from the Mediterranean. In theory. We're actually not beach lovers.

I love visiting the UK. I love the countryside, I love walking in the countryside. I love London, I love the humour, I love listening to the radio talk shows and understanding all of it. I love dealing with bureaucracy or commerce on the phone or by email because I have full command of the language and all its nuances.

I've always been torn between living here and living in the UK. The more years you expat yourself, the harder it is to go back. The more you have invested in your expat life and the less you have to go back to. However, no one expected covid-19 or that it would change everything. Not just highlighting what I already knew, but bringing up things that I also already knew but had buried deep.

We are far away from close family. It wasn't a problem when a short plane ride was available and traffic went both ways - they came to us and we went to them. But now what happens if I get sick? Who looks after DD? Would you take in a traumatised child who needs to be in quarantine for two weeks and could endanger your own family?

So I'm being over cautious about social distancing. DD came to me last night and said sadly, "Mummy everyone else is out having fun." In theory she's correct. In practice, we both know that we hate that sort of hiking or even picnicking in 34 degree heat sort of "fun". I don't even know what other kind of fun there is in this country in this sort of heat. In past years we went along with friends and endured the heat in order to enjoy the company.

I have a drivers' license but I don't drive here because I don't have a person to call if we break down, get stuck or have an accident. I mean, I have people to call in an emergency but once the emergency bit is over, I still have to deal with all the mechanical and insurance issues. This scares the hell out of me. So we don't have a car and as much as I say it's cheaper to take a taxi any time we want to go anywhere out of town (which it is - I've done the maths) we don't. Our lives are limited.

Our lives are limited, not only by lack of private transport. It's a language thing. I shy away from too much responsibility at work, at school (DD's and mine) and in the community. This is tragic for a natural joiner and organiser.

Finally, as we face DD going into Middle and High School, I feel I'm limiting her education. Her Hebrew has surpassed mine but due to our English lives at home, she doesn't have the language skills necessary to excel. And though I can help her with the material, by looking up the information in English, I can't help her with presenting what she knows. School is half about what you know and half about presenting what you know according to the teachers' requirements.

Maybe covid-19 has turned me into a worrier. Or maybe it has just made me face some difficult truths. Whichever, it has changed everything.


15 comments:

  1. But you have always been a fighter who would be losted without a challenge -the sun will shine again or in your terms snowflakes will irrigate the scrub land
    We all want more than the best for our offspring a least you rose to the challenge- unlike this writer
    DONT be so hard on yourself you have given life it is for DD when she grows up to build on it
    Everything is transitional even standing still Love

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    1. Thank you Ben. I don't believe we know each other but your words are lovely. xx

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  2. hugs. wish I had advice or words of wisdom.

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  3. Given your situation, you are a wise woman to face these issues and to acknowledge that they are issues for both you and DD. I think that Covid-19 has made all of us more aware of these sorts of things. I've always lived on my own and my family all live outside of the city and many of my friends are in the same boat, single, divorced or widowed. It is the first time in my life that I have actually felt vulnerable. It does help to talk things over with others in a similar situation. I also think it's one of the reasons why we have all kept in touch so much more than normal - by phone, text, Zoom or email. At least we know others are thinking of us.
    PS - you would not catch me hiking or sunbathing either - especially not at 34C. I spent this past weekend hibernating as it hit nearly 40C on Sunday!!
    Hang in there.

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    1. You're right Margie. I got lots of messages of support on facebook over this post but also many people messaged me privately to express similar feelings. We're ok - we'll have to tighten our belts but we have a roof over our heads and I still have some of my work (not exactly sure how much at this point). Others have lost thier businesses and/or rent their homes. I'm feeling a bit vulnerable, as you say, but there are many others far worse off. (You do have extreme temps in Canada, don't you?). Lots of love Margie. And take care. xxx

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  4. There’s a lot that resonates for me here, especially the aspect of a bilingual child having a disadvantage in the school system. As well, as a doctor, I am over cautious, almost OCD about Coronavirus, and often I feel like my daughter and I are “suckers” for being careful when everyone else seems to be taking vacations and having fun. One thing I can say, America is not an option now, and I am in fact grateful for Israel, even with all its mess. You are a smart and brave woman, and an exceptional mother.

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    1. Thank you. Good to hear confirmation about being careful from a doctor. Shabbat Shalom x

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  5. There’s a lot that resonates for me here, especially the aspect of a bilingual child having a disadvantage in the school system. As well, as a doctor, I am over cautious, almost OCD about Coronavirus, and often I feel like my daughter and I are “suckers” for being careful when everyone else seems to be taking vacations and having fun. One thing I can say, America is not an option now, and I am in fact grateful for Israel, even with all its mess. You are a smart and brave woman, and an exceptional mother.

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  6. Hi Rachel - how are you doing? You haven't posted in a bit so thought I'd check in. Hope things aren't too stressful.

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    1. Hi Margie, We're fine thanks. It's been a busy couple of weeks. Although we're not really going out, I've had a lot of online work to do. Also, there's not much to say that hasn't already been said. How are you doing? And thanks for your concern. Take care. xxx

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    2. Glad to hear everything is ok. Things are fine here just plodding along.
      The weather was just gorgeous today - clear blue skies, a lovely breeze and around 24C! I hope it stays this way for at least a few more days. I have much more energy.
      Stay safe!

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    3. 24C is perfect weather. I'd like that all year round.

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  7. The issues you're considering resonate with me too - as you probably know, my big worry is who would mind my two young adults if anything happened to me. And Covid has made that issue more urgent.

    It's also made me push ahead to make important changes even though the pandemic makes that harder, because I'm afraid that if I don't do it now, it may be too late.

    I hope you can get clarity over the issues that you and DD are facing, and can make a decision and act on it - being in limbo is an awful feeling xxx

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    1. I have a cousin in the north of Israel who sent her phone number for DD in case she needs it. And my sister said that if I were in hospital she would come out and stay with DD. So I do feel a bit better.
      Good luck with your important changes. I hope this brings you some peace of mind aswell. xxx

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