Tuesday, September 8, 2020

But what are you going to do?

This was the first comment my friends at work made when I told them I was retiring at the end of the year (2019). I had worked with many of them for over 32 years, supporting the business and IT ends of Tripler Army Medical Center and Naval Health Clinic Hawaii. My response was that I had lots of plans – traveling to California to help my sister; volunteering at church in addition to regular worship and choir; plus cleaning out my condominium in preparation for renovations. I was also making plans for this year’s “Annual Girls’ Trip” in October or November with my two daughters.

Then 2020 happened. One trip to California in January, then the world started going in other directions. My father-in-law passed away shortly after I got home, then a close family friend followed within a few days. Funerals were held, but who could guess they would be the last big gatherings for months.

Jeanne Decosta (at the file cabinet) and members of the choir gather in the loft to organize music.

What has this pandemic done? All of us have had our lives put on hold, with questions of how to go on. Many are struggling with isolation, unemployment, illness, threats of eviction and even hunger. I find myself in a blessed space even in the midst of seeming chaos.

I am not in any financial stress; I am not alone, having my eldest daughter with me; I am relatively healthy; I am not unemployed – that, by choice! When I think of what could be, I have to thank God for all the blessings of my life. I have been able to continue volunteering for church online as well as through the thrift shop. Even though travel is out of the question right now, I have almost daily contact with my family in California and Idaho. We have email, instant messaging, phone calls and even Zoom, not to mention USPS to send physical mail.

Last year I enrolled in Education for Ministry (EfM). We started meeting in September on Monday evenings at St. Mark’s for discussion and prayer. In March, we changed our meetings to Zoom. To be honest, I struggled for much of the course, feeling in over my head, but managed to finish at the end of June. However, I made the decision not to continue in the next year.

Much to my surprise, I found myself at loose ends when Monday nights rolled around, and we didn’t have our weekly EfM meetings. As the summer months came and the pandemic continued, I started feeling like I was missing something and was even having a “use it or lose it” moment. After deep reflection and much prayer, I re-enrolled in EfM for the new year, even if only via Zoom. I found I needed this extra intellectual stimulation and interaction with others (beyond family) after all.

So much for rambling on. This new “normal” has strengthened my faith in God and Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit has kicked my behind I am sure. My blessings continue for which I give thanks. I may not be working on all my plans for retirement, but God has seen fit to fill in the holes and keep me moving forward. I pray that He is able to support all of you as much as He is supporting me.

With much aloha,
Jeanne DeCosta