2020—The Year of Magical Thinking

Respectfully submitted by JoAnne Hoyak, RTAM Vice President and ACER-CART Director

Some years ago I read Joan Didion’s book “The Year of Magical Thinking” which was written the year after her husband’s sudden death and is recognized as a classic in terms of describing how we experience mourning. So far, this year, to me, is a year when we are all experiencing loss of several different kinds and we are challenged by the need to not only cope with, but also adapt to the new reality we are facing now and for the foreseeable future.

I am bereft, of course, by the cancelation of so many events that sustain me and that fill my soul with joy and awe—the theater, live music concerts-both rock and classical, choir participation, jamming with the guys, travel and socially connecting with people I love. I also have worries regarding the maintenance and continued efficacy of volunteer organizations, including those with which I participate. I also am as appalled as everyone as the dire conditions of long term elder care facilities are revealed. And, not in the least, I have fears that unscrupulous leaders may use the cover of the pandemic to surreptitiously establish ideological reforms that negatively impact the citizens they represent.

However, as Joan Didion eloquently reveals, the resilience and ingenuity of humankind is admirable and reassuring. I have discovered the amazing attributes of YOU TUBE and the fabulous posts created specifically for this time representing all musical genres. We are happily ZOOMING as a family and PJ, Sheila and Addy in their dining room in Winnipeg, Kristy from her Vancouver deck, and Julianne, Kyle and Alice from their sailboat on the waters of the inside passage celebrated their

Father’s 75th birthday with a virtual party. Like all of you, I wonder what my parents would think of this marvel. While we are concerned with the lack of fund raising projects, our local Lion’s club has adopted strategies to continue to manage our two senior housing residences and make progress on our Legacy project. Concerning RTAM, I was pleased to participate as the Director from Manitoba in the ACER-CART virtual AGM and hope we will learn from that particular success. I am grateful to our Executive Director for his acumen with ZOOM which he passed on to us, so we can stay in contact as a Board to continue to work on the behalf of Manitoba’s retired teachers.

The incredible ability of our active teaching colleagues to provide continued meaningful learning experiences including scope, sequence and assessment during this time is laudable. I viewed super lessons with my granddaughter in grade two that included science [a bean growing / water experiment], Social Studies { a community planning with zoning project], Physical Education { a jumping lesson] and an amazing music lesson on the basics of harmony. All these with personal contact, encouragement and feedback from her teachers.

So, while we mourn the aspects of life that we have lost in this unprecedented year, we have all magically gained in terms of discovering strategies to adapt to our new situation, as well as learning new opportunities that provide the joy and fulfillment of living. Most importantly, we have been made aware of how privileged we are in the security of our retirement with our defined benefit pension and reliable national public health care.

Personally, during these “end of days”, I have developed a new affection for the cello. Google Hauser and 2Cellos. I suggested to my husband that he should take this isolation time and learn the cello so he could play it for me in his bare feet. He declined, but said he would play his guitar for me in his bedroom slippers. Well, I guess that’s something.

I wish for everyone the appreciation for the magical thinking this year has stimulated for us all. Be safe and well. 