Had you ever felt the sudden urge to escape? That out of the blue, some melancholia struck you and just want to be away and be out of your normal comfort zone?
The past few days I have been experiencing some dysphoria. I don’t exactly know what triggered it (perhaps brought by four month long confinement due to the same Covid-19 situation we have since February and still could not adjust to the new normal), but I felt the need to break away from the new routines for a little bit so I found myself in a quick trip to Savannah. It is a place I have never been. Though it was refreshing, the many thoughts of uncertainties came with me on this trip.
There are two things that hit me this past week that may have caused me to recharge elsewhere. Both I have no control of, but I fear they will affect me. The first is this continuous pandemic battle; with everyday numbers on the rise- reported cases broken day after day, brought me to a panic mode. I do take this disease seriously. A family member, some friends I know, and colleagues I work with everyday have been inflicted, and I know it’s only a matter of time before it will come to me. The second, perhaps is a minor and selfish one- I have a colleague whom I become close friend with that may quit anytime soon and would work elsewhere. I know her reason and that’s hers to keep, but just the thought of not seeing nor working with her on a schedule- hit me the most. I don’t do well with parting, and that realization made me feel sad and lonely.
Recently I took care of a quadriplegic patient for two days. We made a connection as we shared a common ground. He is originally from Hyannis, MA. Coincidentally, it is the town we last lived in before heading to Florida. In one of our many conversations, he expressed how much he missed it, and sad that he may no longer be able to go back and see the place because of his health conditions. I told him how lucky he was as I am a nurse and a landscape photographer on the side and have so many pictures of the town we both know and I am happy to share them to him from my phone. His expression when I told him this, was enough to make my day. That week when I came back to work from a day off, I learned that he was transferred to a Covid unit. Sad- I still think and wish him well.
These why I ended up in Savannah. A place I know only from the fictional books I read in the past. I quickly walk around admiring and taking in its charm; the River Street with old cobble stones pavement, the canopy trees that cover the streets, historic houses and landmarks. So much to absorb and I felt that the process was cathartic. It doesn’t take all the loneliness away, but gave me different perspectives on all the situations I was going through. That is how I would like to leave this quaint place too.
Savannah at night. Image of River Street from across Savannah River from Westin Savannah Golf and Resort Spa. Taken at 10PM after a heavy rain. Peaceful and tranquil… Just so much to admire.