Alone together

On April 16, 2020, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

All I ever wanted to do was sit home, not work, eat snacks and watch TV. Well I got my wish but this is getting ridiculous. Who would have thought a situation like this could ever happen in this day and age?

I’ve been hunkered down in my house with my oldest son and his girlfriend. Even though I’ve been retired for two years, I used to have a routine. My commute has been shortened. I now go from my bedroom, to the living room, to the kitchen, and the bathroom. Oh, I almost forgot … every now and then I take some rubbish out to the barrels in the yard. Too much excitement. But it’s what we have to do.

The last three times I was actually out shopping were very stressful. There’s a feeling of doom out there. Being in my late sixties puts me in that dangerous group. I’m not only worried about myself, but all my many friends that are around my age and older. I haven’t been in public since March 23. When the smoke clears I hope we all can get back to our lives and that everyone stays healthy.

Back to the snacks. I’ve been hoarding and rationing a box of Cheez-Its, a bag of jellybeans, some Reese’s peanut butter eggs, some Hostess powdered donettes, and some potato chips. I bought all these things during my last Target run. At this point I’m staying put. So I had to go into super rationing mode.

My son is pretty strict about me going to the store. I won’t go out again. He’s taking good care of me as he is my right hand man. He and my youngest son have been also tending to their grandma’s needs. I’m very proud of them.

Lots of people have been using this idle time to clean their houses. Aside from sanitizing the bathroom, kitchen, doorknobs and light switches several times a day, I’ve done no extra cleaning. I have a jam packed closet and a very messy bedroom that are begging to be straightened out. Doesn’t look like it’s gonna happen.

But back to the problem at hand. It’s very scary. It’s hard to imagine life getting back to normal. I personally have to make some serious decisions. My part time job is playing piano and performing at nursing homes and assisted living centers. I also do DJ work. Do I go back? Maybe the facilities will not allow entertainers to come in any more.

I know one thing, I won’t be going to any sporting events, or concerts anymore. Luckily I’ve seen tons of sporting events and lots of live music acts (most recently Billy Joel at Fenway this past summer).

I’d sworn off live sporting events already. Luckily I was at a lot of Patriots games including two or three AFL championship games. The drunk fans already had me convinced that I was done with Pats games at Gillette.

I think we are all going to be very leery about close human contact from now on. Things are definitely going to be different. Handshaking will have to stop.

During this time of confinement, I’ve realized that I truly love my home. I enjoy my stuff, and have been going through things I’ve saved, especially photos from the past and of loved ones.

I’m writing this on Sunday, April 10. It’s already been an exciting day even though it’s only 9:17 a.m. I started up and sat in my car for the first time in over a week. I got some fresh air. My electric piano is three feet away from where I am sitting in the living room. I’m trying not to watch only COVID-19 updates. Just my luck, The Three Stooges just started and it’s a Curly! Score!

Fast forward, and today is Monday, the day after Easter Sunday. It was quite different from any Easter I can remember, but it’s certainly going to be one that I’ll never forgot. Valiant efforts were made all around the country to try to spread some special Easter joy by parading the Easter Bunny himself around on fire trucks with a brigade of dedicated police officers and firefighters and EMTs. My grandkids enjoyed it in the Seekonk area. Thank you!

So during this surreal period in the history of the world, I’m facing the question of the hour. What shall I watch on TV? Thank God for DVDs, Netflix, Facebook, and of course, snacks. But the real heartfelt thanks, along with prayers goes out to the first responders and frontline people. Thank you and God Bless.

We also must applaud our mayor and police and fire departments along with the gang doing the important work in the communications department of City Hall for keeping us connected on a community level (Joe and Steve!). Thanks for doing a great job keeping us safe and informed.

A special prayer and thanks to all our brave and dedicated first responders. May God bless, protect and keep you safe. And God bless all of us, our loved ones and our friends.

And speaking of first responders, Somerville Fire Department’s Tower 1 took advantage of their aerial training to say hello to some very special residents at the Jeanne Jugan Little Sisters of the Poor Residence on Highland Ave. today while maintaining their social distancing (see photo)!

Jim Piwinski was able to see and wave at his grandmother, Doris Landry, on the fourth floor.

The residents in the Pavillion were clapping and cheering and a woman was crying in the window saying “thank you.” That’s beautiful in Portuguese. Mother Maureen, who I love dearly, kept saying “God bless, Jimbo.” That’s what she calls Jim Piwinski. A true good-hearted loving story. Jim and his dad, also named Jim, are both Somerville firefighters. So great! Two generations of Somerville firefighters.

On another positive note, I’m getting great gas mileage. I now get two months to a gallon! Again, when this pandemic is over I hope all of you are healthy, happy and safe. Oh, by the way, thanks to my friend Lori P for dropping off four bags of jelly beans! I don’t have to ration them anymore and I can now share … maybe. But sadly, the Cheez-Its, and donuts are gone. Stay safe, my friends, and God bless us all.

(A special heartfelt thank you to my dear friends Chief Charlie Breen and Peggy Piwinski for their help with this story!)

 

2 Responses to “Alone together”

  1. Dawn Oliva says:

    Awesome story!
    Loved to see the joy on Doris Landry’s face

  2. Linda Surette says:

    Beautiful Story! Love to see my Aunt Doris so happy in these trying times.