I have noticed that this has been said by more than one person since the COVID-19 lockdown began in the US.  Paraphrasing here, “we have all learned to appreciate the simple things in our lives much more under these circumstances. The pauses we are mandated to observe have given us time to reflect and perhaps act on a few substantive insights.”

There is no benefit from what is happening, yet there are something we shall continue as a result of being hunkered down.  Our community and family linkages have been intensified.  We share the collective experience, stories and headaches.  Much of what we are learning is being communicated over the internet, texts and social media connections.

As I set up my offering of Virtual Classes the first week of April, one particular conversation simply jumped out to be shared.  It’s a personal experience and a text conversation between two women, two #PilatesSisters that actually didn’t realize how long we have really been in each other’s lives until the lockdown brought about the pause and our recognition of the fact.

Cheers to community.  Cheers to building virtual family connections.  Cheers to Pilates and keeping those connections together.

 

Pilates Sisters Community Summer 2017: Sylvia (r) with her two daughters, Vernell grinning, as Alina, her wife, holds Camilla.

SF:  Aww. I need to take it easy this week bc I wasn’t supposed to work out for 6 weeks. I started getting hot flashes. Not sure if it was due to the surgery or if I’m in menopause.

GJ: How old are you?

SF: 43, I’ll be 44

GJ: Yep, perimenopause; 45-50yrs generally.  One leg under the cover, one leg out? 😉

SF: Yes

GJ: Enjoy mama. Your ‘other’ new normal.

SF: Ok. So let me check my schedule. I’ll join tomorrow’s or Thursday class for sure.

GJ: Be safe

……and 10 minutes later….

GJ:  Ehhhh, you go from, “I need to take it easy” to booking two classes back to back?  Nope!  Taking you out of Fri Noon. Will rebook next Sat, since you are already set for Thurs – a  good move👌🏽

SF: LOL 😂  Well I’m not going to let menopause get to me. LOL

GJ: For the record, I started my new life at 45; first Pilates Mat certification after doing the body-building competition.  Probably met you and Felix at 46 yrs old.  😜  I could tell you ‘Hot Flash’ stories 😉

SF: Aww I was 28 when we met and I started working out with you. Damn. You’ve gone through all my life stages! I’m going to grab my wine 🍷 glass to hear the hot flashes stories!

GJ: Hahaha. Ain’t that a bitch!!  Gotcha mama!  Clearly, I always have 😉

 

“Nice thing to note and observe…. given the circumstances. Your kids are my Pilates Babies”

SF: It’s crazy. 🙌🏼😘😍

GJ: Nice thing to note and observe…. given the circumstances. Your kids are my Pilates Babies 😉  Looking for my favorite image of you and Camilla, now.

Camilla and Mom, July 2018

SF: My marriage and ALL my babies are Pilates babies!

GJ: I know 😜

SF: I know which one the one from the pool. That was a good one!

GJ: She had on the pink head wrap…. Looking like she was grown

SF: Yeah. It’s on your instagram. You posted it there

GJ: Yup.

SF: Aww my baby. Now she just ran across the videos. LOL.  Aww I can’t believe how quickly time flies.

GJ: Crazy. Fcking crazy

SF: I can’t. Drinking the bottle now. LMAO 😂  Hahaha

GJ: 😘😘😘😘 See you soon

SF: Good night!

 

Repeating:   Cheers to community.  Cheers to building virtual family connections.  Cheers to Pilates and keeping those connections together.