COVID-19

Dear Rahaf!

This is your 20th birthday, and when I go back in my memory, I remember the day you were born.

In 2020 everything was different; our lives were upside down! There was a pandemic which hit the whole world and changed our lives. Everything changed! We were not allowed to see you and your mom on the day you were born. We couldn't send any flowers or chocolate to your mom in the hospital. The whole world was locked down and the state of emergency was declared. We couldn't go anywhere. We couldn't see anybody. And the most important messages at that time were:

1. Stay home, stay safe!
2. Wash your hands for 30 seconds at least with soap and water.
3. Don't touch your face.

COVID-19 took lots of lives. It was sad to see elderly people, the people who gave us everything they could, suffering and afraid of this mysterious virus. It was sad to see all the people who couldn't be with their parents or grandparents while they were dying from COVID-19 and couldn't even say goodbye! Or be with them, holding their hands and let their parents know that they would not forget them and their parents would live in their hearts forever!

All of us were suffering mentally and emotionally! We were not allowed to hug our parents, friends or to go for a visit and spend time with them! We were forced by law to stay away from each other –at least 6 feet which was called "social distance". Kids were not allowed to go to school and see their friends! Kids were not allowed to play with their friends in the playgrounds or in the parks! And the government set a fine; people had pay it if they broke these rules. Most of the people started working from home and lots of people lost their jobs because of COVID-19 which affected the whole world economy!

At the beginning of 2020, our life was ideal: kids were going to school and parents were going for work. We celebrated holidays with our families and friends, and we had lots of plans for summer time like travelling and hosting some parties.

Then, COVID-19 came with new rules and taught us the hard way that everything what had seemed impossible before was possible now. We were able to teach our kids at home by using "online studying" even though they were still so young. We were able to work from home and keep connected with our colleagues and customers by making conference calls and even improve our skills by taking some online courses during this hard time. Sure, we were able to keep in touch with our friends and family by using video calls and spent time with them having virtual coffee breaks and sending social distance hugs and kisses... Hahaha! No need to take a vacation every year and spend lots of money traveling while we can save some money for bad times like COVID-19 and spend the rest of the money to support small local businesses. We could pray in our homes anytime without going to a Church, Temple or a Mosque. We could celebrate holidays with our small family trying to make the best of the situation.

The worst scenario for me was grocery shopping and sanitizing everything that was bought. We washed fruits and vegetables and soaked them for 30 seconds at least with soap and water. This was like a nightmare for me, because I spent hours doing this to make sure that my family would stay healthy and safe.

I know that you are thinking now, how people graduated from universities, schools and even got married at that time? How many plans were changed during COVID-19? My answer is: yes, everything was crazy! Some students graduated without a graduation party and some universities had graduation parties for their students by keeping social distance. As to weddings, it was a different story. Some couples wanted to have a big wedding party as they planned, so they postponed their weddings. Some couples didn’t want to change their wedding day; they found it easier and more fun and felt a relief from all the complicated details of the wedding parties and of course saving lots of money! So they got married on the same day having their close relatives only.

Our life remained like this until we found a vaccine for COVID-19! Then everything got better after 1 year.

At the end of this letter, I wish you a very happy birthday and many more happy years to come! Have a blast!

Regards,
Dana

Note: I'm writing this letter now thinking: "I hope this is not just the assignment I need to do; I hope it comes true and we will find the vaccine and COVID-19 will be a thing of the past".