As I sit in the corner of my sunroom writing this, my third editor’s note while working under Gov. Charlie Baker’s shelter-at-home orders, I’m realizing how much I will actually miss this spot when we all –very soon I believe – return to some semblance of working in our Reminder Publishing offices.
I have a lovely window now that lets in plenty of natural light to work by, one that also provides a beautiful view of my yard and the birds and animals that visit it. In the background I can hear the gentle bubbling of the indoor fountain that was a gift for my last birthday. In the other corner of the sunroom, my hibiscus plant is in riotous bloom.
It’s a peaceful shangri-la (as long as no one turns on the T.V. in the adjoining living room while I’m trying to work), but I have to admit, sometimes it is a bit lonely. I miss my colleagues and the give-and-take of a newsroom, and will be glad to get back to collaborating (though the grey cubicle walls that will replace my window view are another thing).
One thing this pandemic has taught me - and the rest of us - is that we must adapt to changes and find ways to work through them.
Such is the task before Linda Mumblo, president, and Shannon Mumblo, executive director, of the nonprofit transitional housing program for homeless women and children know as Christina’s House, subject of this month’s feature story. The 18-to-24 month, faith-based program was deep into fundraising for - and physically preparing to renovate - a second home on Union Street in Springfield when COVID-19 upended so many things. The stay-at-home orders affected everything from how the volunteer-staffed program could interact with clients at the original Madison Avenue home to how work could proceed to get the newly purchased home ready for a planned late August opening. They persevered, taking fundraising to their Facebook page on Giving Tuesday, creating online classes and support calls for their families, and planning for ways to keep the mission going – and growing – under the new normal.
The people at Christina’s House aren’t the only ones adjusting to life under the new normal to keep things going. Prime’s finance and elder law columnist, Gina Barry, highlights how the coronavirus pandemic has affected caregivers, and the implications of this situation going forward. Jonathan Evans, our alternative medicine columnist, shares more advice on keeping our minds and bodies healthy as we adjust to the new normal. The folks at Post Computers offer help to keep your passwords safe and at hand as we all continue to cope with life online.
As we all begin to cautiously return to some semblance of normalcy, please follow the guidelines for wearing masks, hand washing, social distancing and staying home if you can. We want our readers to stay safe!
Debbie Gardner
debbieg@thereminder.com
