It is Monday, November 9, 2020. I am sitting in my office in Fall River, Nova Scotia, feeling like today is any other day. Life feels good right now. The sun is shining, the leaves are nearly off the trees, there is a slight chill to the morning air with a promise of a mild afternoon. At lunch time a group of us in the office will be going for a walk to take in the beauty that is fall in Nova Scotia. But that is not the only reason we take these walks. We enjoy the time connecting on a personal level. We have desk jobs and need to get up and move our bodies. We need a break because the reality is, life is hard right now.
Over my weekends and evenings, I have been picking away at a long list of things I want to have ready for winter. All the “usuals” make the list – trim back the gardens, get my winter tires installed (done, and thankfully before last week’s snow!), sweep the chimney, pack away lawn furniture, set out a shovel and some de-icer, put away Halloween decorations, and take inventory on Christmas lights. The list continues, but there is one critical thing missing from my list this year. It is something I have not thought about until this year. How do I best to support my family, friends, and employees through this winter?
Though it feels relatively normal here in our bubble, it is not, and we would be naïve to act otherwise. Under normal circumstances winter can be difficult for many. Longer durations between visits with friends and family, shorter days, fewer accessible trails to get out and connect with nature. Adventures to far away places will not be possible for most who rely on them to recharge. We need to be creative and find ways to enjoy the beauty of winter in Nova Scotia.
Traditional holiday gatherings will be very different this year, with many friends and family unable to be physically present – my sister will miss family celebrations this year for the first time. Many families will experience this, and sometimes, the big holidays are the only time we get to see some of our family face-to-face. Though this saddens us equally, I understand her need to be with her husband who returns from working away the week prior, and they must self-isolate. Their gift to us is a considerate and responsible action so that next year we may all celebrate together.
So, as I prepare for this winter, I add to my list sharing the gift of presence. Emotional presence is a powerful gift. If we are honest with ourselves, we are all experiencing some type of emotional pain. This is an inherently lonely experience. With so much beyond our individual control that we are unable to fix, it is evermore important to truly be there for one another. I encourage you to join others on their emotional journey. Allow them to feel what they feel and dare to feel it with them. Support and love one another through the power of presence.
Roxanne Tate,
President | Tate Engineering Inc.
roxanne@tateengineering.com
902-576-3420 ext. 1