Segment 19: Covid and Easter Weekend
I finally succumbed to the ever-looming enemy of Covid. Other than briefly losing my sense of taste, I was a bit congested for two days, but my throat, lungs, mind and energy were spared the blows that too many, especially singers, have suffered. I feel blessed in this regard. I went into isolation in my dorm room for five days and hoped to be spared the final two (days 6-7 of isolation) by getting a negative test on the fifth day, but alas! It, too, was positive. I completed the full seven days of isolation.
This period of isolation was challenging in its loneliness: being surrounded by people who continued to go about their lives made it feel quite deep. I did what I could to stay active: yoga-ing and dancing to let out my energy. I continued to teach, and the final two days, I just had to sing as well. Thankfully the only feedback I heard from neighbors was positive.
I felt very cared for by my neighbors, who brought me delicious soup, picked up bread for me, and shared five-minute, masked hallway conversations or out-the-window conversations. One neighbor contracted the virus at the same time (assumedly we infected one another) and thus in a beautiful respite from the isolation, we had each other to play games, share a cookie or cup of tea together, to chat. I was moved by all this kindness from my friends, reminded of the importance of caring for other lonely people one encounters in life…
Though challenging, this isolation also proved to be introspective in a productive way. I had so much time to dig into my history, my formation, my personality, my faith and my life going forward. I am feeling big change and movement that is exciting and also a little scary. Needing an outlet for processing all of this information, I had many meaningful conversations with friends and family over the course of the isolation. This was a gift that temporarily numbed me from my isolated state each time.
What a week to experience so much spiritual connection and feel such isolation: Holy week! It was a blessing to end the isolation by going to the Good Friday service at the American Church in Paris, where I sing regularly. Then the big, joyous Easter Sunday celebration and wonderful fellowship thereafter was the perfect end to a long period alone. Added bonus: the weather this weekend could not have been more beautiful! Three days of blue, sunny skies and warm temperatures- perfect being out and about. I managed to get outside each day: Saturday was cherry blossoms in the Parc de Sceaux; Sunday was barbequing, easter egg hunting and walking in the Parc de Vincennes; Monday included a short run and a most wonderful musical soirée!
It is a real blessing that I was connected with the American Church choir because it’s such a beautiful community of musicians who love and support one another. Our choir pianist had been a renowned performer coach of vocal repertoire and she hosted Monday night’s fabulous music party at her beautiful home outside Paris. It was lovely to get outside of the city and to be in a place where we all united in music, in food and in conversation as we raucously continued the evening with show tunes, opera ensembles, art songs- you name it! I need more of this in my musical world on a regular basis: no pressure music-making. So much music was created to be performed for such gatherings anyway! Where have the salons and Schubertiade gone? Let’s bring ‘em back! Let’s not always be so serious about music!
I am also starting to feel the weight of only having 6 weeks left in Paris. I know it will go fast. There are things I want to hang on to, and there are things I am excited to move on toward. Thus goes international life- many goodbyes, many adventures. The beauty of it is not marred by the pain, because the pain dissipates and leaves the beauty behind. But it is still hard.
Marie in Paris
