Freedom Lost, Appreciation Found
Kay Evans
By any standard one chooses, sixty-three years is a long time to be married; but, when the final nine weeks of that sixty-third year is spent in isolation with one another, it can seem even longer! In the admonitions given my husband and me by Norvel Young in the hallowed halls of the Broadway church on June 7, 1957, we promised to keep our marriage together “for better or for worse,” “for richer or for poorer,” as well as “in sickness and in health”; but, there was no mention of being shut up alone together for nine weeks!
At the risk of being insensitive to those of you who have spent the past few weeks totally alone or in the company of your pets, I would hasten to add that I am thankful to have someone I dearly love with whom to be quarantined. Those with only fur babies with whom to converse tell me that, while their faithful companions bring them a great deal of comfort and joy, they are poor conversationalists! No doubt those without even a wagging puppy dog tail or the purr of a cuddly cat most assuredly would not hesitate to berate me for my ingratitude at having a husband who has knocked himself out to make this period of our lives as pleasant as possible.
The fact is, however, that none of us can have all of his/her needs met by even the greatest of spouses. We all need community, and I have missed YOU. I understand, but resent, the social distancing rules that have kept us apart. I, personally, am more concerned about dying of loneliness than of the coronavirus, but I am determined to at least respect that which I do not personally fear as well as those who feel differently on the subject. I realize that we all bring to this incomparable (are you as tired as I am of the word “unprecedented”?) situation a unique set of experiences and feelings, and our response to the changes we all have been required to make have affected each of us in different ways, Our feelings in this matter are neither right or wrong: they are just our feelings.
Personally, I can’t wait until Sunday mornings when I can see at least some of you as you wave, blow kisses, and/or give virtual hugs on my TV screen. After 73 years as a member of the Broadway family, I recently have realized that you are so much more important to me than I had previously understood and pray that I never again will take you for granted. Until I was deprived of your physical presence, I admit to taking you for granted, for expecting you always to be there to inspire, to encourage, and to bless me. I pray that I never do that again. When I am fully released from living the social life of the Unabomber, I pray that I will treasure my Broadway family for the wonderful gift from God that it is and that I will not hesitate to tell you so!
