Edie Thompson
As we start a new month of isolation and solitude, I realize that of all the letters in the alphabet, I salute that last one--Z. Through decades of peace and war, we have lived many years without dwelling on Zees. Just a few nouns, and fewer verbs have been used in our everyday lives.
Zippers, zoos, zeppelins, zombies, zebras, zipatone (a cartographic staple in the 40's) and the British Zounds. Our restful sleep was represented by zzzs.
But now, my life has been transformed by ZOOM! Last weekend alone, I've joined in a celebratory birthday zoom with family members from Connecticut to Oregon, a Halloween costume party with my (grown-up) kids, grandkids and great-grands, and an afternoon chat with a Minneapolis family. With help from my neighbors I enjoyed a Front Range Forum class on The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. The family was able to hear a daughter's presentation on Climate change, shared an evening remembering my husband on his birthday, and joined in saluting the high school graduation of a great-niece. We plan a Thanksgiving Day Zoom which will include family from Alaska to New Haven. (Bonus: seeing the canine family members)
Whoever designed Zoom has given me many warm fuzzy moments, with the help of my laptop. Zoom is my candidate for the best invention in this period of suspended animation.
Hurrah for Z's.
Please e-mail comments to Edie Thompson