A way to remember the past in the era of the coronavirus.
At the start of 2020, things were a lot different than they are now. Shops were still open, restaurants were still serving, and people were still seen walking down the streets.
Today, just a few months later, schools are closed, some businesses are shutting down permanently, and everyone wears a mask as they pick up their groceries.
Though it may seem crazy, and even frightening as the cases grow, we are making it through day by day. For now, it's a little difficult to think of the future, as we don't know what tomorrow may even look like. So, we are all focusing on the present, and what we can do today.
In this sense, it's almost as if we've been given an opportunity. So many of us have complained in the past that there was never enough time. Now, many of us have more time on our hands than we know what to do with.
We've been making new recipes, spending more time with our immediate family, trying to make crafts or take up hobbies, and basically doing anything to stay sane in these unusual and unprecedented times.
Yet, this is also a historic time. This is something that will go down in history, and we're all living through it, day by day.
With all this knowledge in mind, we, here at the Historical Society, have come to view this "opportunity" in a new light, and we would like to ask you to do the same.
While you are debating what to make for dinner, pull out some of your old family recipes, and tell your kids, your spouse, or even your cat about your favorite dish when you were a child. While you are calling your neighbor or emailing a relative who lives far away, ask them about how they're staying in touch with their family, and how long it has been since they've written someone a letter on paper. While you are trying to pick what craft to start next, do some research on how your grandmother made her afghans, how your mother sewed those beautiful patchwork quilts, or how your uncle learned to carve so realistically.
What we are asking is for you to use this time to learn about the past, and not just any past, but your past and your family's past. In this time when we are all forced to be apart, you may find that doing things the way your family used to can make it feel as though a piece of them is with you.
This way, you can bring a part of the past to the present, and maybe brighten up your day. Even if your recipe doesn't taste the same as grandma's, or even though your new knitted hat may look more like a sock, you'll still be remembering times spent together.
In the future, when we'll be out and about again, you can tell us all about the history you learned while we were at home.
We look forward to hearing from you, and we hope you are all staying healthy and safe.