So far, I’ve written about all the lovely features of Kingsville and Essex County in my "Great Expectations" series of posts. Something entirely different today.

As a young girl, I spent a lot of time thinking about family - actual and adopted - and about community - actual and adopted - most likely because I was an only child, struggling to find connection and belonging. When I was young, I was fascinated by “Petticoat Junction” and the Jos (Bobbie Jo, Billie Jo and Bettie Jo).  I loved all the scenarios they were embroiled in and their relationships.  Just imagine - three sisters!  Wouldn’t it be wonderful to live in a home with sisters? 

Mum and Dad, always worried that I’d be lonely, cultivated a large community for me - my cousins, our neighbours, school friends, church friends and dance school friends.  Our home had an open door policy, especially at supper time; Dad loved cooking for a crowd, so everyone was always welcome. The more the merrier was their philosophy and I loved it.

This goes a long way toward explaining why I enjoy gathering community around me to this day.  I thrive on getting to know my neighbours and making new friends whenever we move to a new neighbourhood. By a stroke of good luck, I've never yet had trouble finding kindred spirits and adding them to my crew.  But this move is very different.  This is the first time we’ve moved in our bubble, and I’m not making friends.

It is becoming ever more worrisome to me because, deep-down, I know that my resilience has always been dependent upon those strong communities I build and being able to lean on them during rough times.  The thing I know about friendships and community is that, almost more important than gathering people, you have to establish and prove yourself before even thinking of calling or leaning on them. Being bubbled, and yes, I know it is still essential for me, I am unable to connect with people like I’ve done in the past.  ‘Though I’ve been invited to sit on several committees, ‘though there seem to be a lot of lovely folks living here in our townhouse complex, and ‘though The Friends at my parks have reached out to me to get involved, not being able to gather in person, indoors, not being able to attend meetings, and not being able to go to restaurants or cafes, I remain disconnected.  

Truth?  I have not made a single new friend.  Not a real one, the sort on whom I might rely upon or call on in the middle of the night in an emergency.  This worries me greatly.  Now it’s even affecting my sleep, keeping me awake at nights and, ’til now, sleeping has always been my forte.   

Did you manage to make a new friend while you were in COVID isolation?  If so, please tell me how you did it.  Thank you.

’Til next time, y’all…

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