COVID
Calling for Help
M
y boss told us to take work I was broke most of the time and did not home at the end of the work- have cash. At that time, I also had to order day because we would not be clothing online because the plus-size allowed into the building again for three clothing stores did not carry size 30/32 weeks or more. I was shocked. Is COVID clothing. Even online, my choices were that serious? limited, so I was usually forced to buy During my lunch hour I decided to go polyester muumuus. Today, I have freeshopping. I was dom to buy clothes completely unaware from any store I can It’s okay to be afraid, of how New York afford and pay with City was affected by it’s okay to ask God for help, cash. the pandemic. I’d As I continued to stopped watching walk, I found a drug and it’s okay to call television because I store and went in to found myself lusting buy an Easter plush my FA fellows after certain foods toy for my 22-yearand seeing them on old daughter. I for guidance. my 57-inch televistarted walking tosion screen did not wards the cashiers help. I walked to my favorite clothing and found myself in the snack aisle. I store and was shocked that it was thought, What am I doing in this aisle? closed. All the clothing stores were What is that about? I’ve been here dozens of closed! How could shops around Wall times and I didn’t walk down this aisle. I’ve Street be closed? Where are the annoy- been in FA for five years and I’ve experienced ing tourists? I felt scared and alone. joys, sadness, deaths, job change, empty nest Five years ago, before FA, I would have syndrome, and dating. I don’t eat over those run straight to the cafeteria to get a snack things and I don’t want to start now. I need to or two. Then I’d go to a restaurant to pick get out of here and make an outreach call. up some dinner using credit cards because That was such a miracle for me. I felt an in4
December 2022