Surviving Jumanji

I suddenly realized that we’re already halfway through the month. In a few more days we’ll usher into the Christmas season with Jose Mari Chan on cue. If our Covid reports won’t improve though, kiss all your hope of experiencing the festivities and celebrations goodbye. 

A lot of people have been saying that if 2020 is a game, it’s definitely Jumanji. It’s like we’re unleashing all of this with every roll of the dice and we can’t wait for someone to finally get the right number to finish the game so that everything will go away.

Anyway, I’m okay. In my last post, I mentioned how I’ve been having all sorts of bodily discomfort but thankfully, it didn’t lead to anything serious. Even so, I have not been going out of the house except when I had to run quick errands to the supermarket or the bank. Not now that we are not just required to wear face masks when outside, we are also asked to wear face shields. One would put in so much effort and that seems to discourage some people from going out. 

Five months since the lockdown and no doubt I gained some weight (which, strangely goes directly to my face and my tummy). My frizzy, greying, falling hair is screaming for serious TLC so it’s always tied up in a bun. No manicure and pedicure mean Nosferatu nails. My skin is dull and dry you can write your name on my arms and legs. 

You will think that since I have more time at home that I must have more time to take care of myself. On the contrary, vanity seems to have taken the backseat for the moment, especially when my day is only spent being the yaya to my naughty nephews. I’d probably have the motivation to fix myself when all of this is over and I have to face other people again.

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Some good news: My cousin who was tested positive for Covid has recovered well and will be discharged anytime soon. If what I heard was true, her total bill went to as much as 1 million pesos—excluding doctor/professional fees. While this is truly any family’s expense nightmare, we are all just thankful that she’s out of danger now. 

When I think how all of us are at risk of getting the virus and that there’s that little chance that I may not survive it, it made me more aware of my own mortality. The other day a former schoolmate (a year younger than me) died from a brain aneurysm. I checked her Facebook recently and saw that just a few days ago, she even posted about a pie that she baked. If you stop and think about it, she’s going through her day in quarantine just like most of us without even a clue that she’d die so suddenly. 

There’s this setting on Facebook that I never explored until recently and it’s called Memorialization Settings. It is an option where I can appoint a Legacy Contact to look after my account when I pass away. 

I already have a friend in mind to be my Legacy Contact (I purposely didn’t choose a family member, as my brothers are not FB-savvy), but I have yet to message her about it because she might not be comfortable to talk about it right now.  

With what’s happening now, nothing is ever morbid to talk about. Even on our regular conversations with friends and family, some of us have already hinted how we want things to be when we die. I know I already did.  

But while I’m still blessed with able to wake up every morning, I am going to be grateful to God for it.