COVID-19: NOT ONLY DARKNESS, BUT CONCRETE RAYS OF LOVE AND HOPE
Almost a week ago, my mom asked me if I would like to volunteer as one of the head cooks for a special action under her department. I replied “ok, alright” mixed with anxiety, doubt and fear that I might get exposed with covid-19 virus, without my knowledge. In spite of this negative thought, I took at heart the yes I gave my mom.
The next day, we had a meeting with the various “non-essential” departments (the whole city now is in the enhanced community quarantine) and there, we started making a menu plan (from breakfast-dinner and snacks) headed by a chairman who is the assistant city budget officer. It was challenging because we needed to create a 15-day menu plan that is balanced, nutritional and can feed hundreds of front-liners with a specific and fixed budget, to cut the expenses of our city government. The next day we set up a mobile kitchen in a small garden in the compound of the City Hall compound. This has stirred in me an inner excitement!
In the evening, it rained heavily! I woke up, fell asleep and soon after woke up again from a bad dream. I dreamed that a friend of mine who I was with before the enhanced community quarantine was tested positive for covid-19, and that I was also showing symptoms, just got sick and wanted to have my test immediately. This dream has disturbed me and I could no longer fall asleep. I was frustrated and fear began to make me feel uneasy, I started to have palpitation so I decided to get up to take a glass of water to calm me down. The thought of not going to the operation was also becoming strong, and perhaps I would just stay at home. But I just kept this idea aside and prayed that what I had dreamed would not happen to me.
We ended in the afternoon and I felt truly tired! But I came home happy and with much inner peace. I told myself: at least I was able to live a full day being at the service to people who are providing services in this time of crisis. And if by chance something would happen to me, and hopefully not, I am also ready to accept it.
I continue to go to our mobile kitchen every day and help other departments assigned to cooking. My responsibilities are also increasing, but I accept all the work given to me with much love and dedication having at heart that I do it for those who are in great need!
