This started shortly after my bride retired in 2013. She had spent the previous 35 years teaching Special Education, and earned a much needed rest. The last 3 or 4 years had been tough on her as her role had changed from one she loved, teaching, to one she was less than enthralled with, case management. Same job title and pay, but the documentation for Special Education seemed to have assumed more importance than the teaching in the minds of upper management. What do they say, “follow the money.”
She was at a bit of loose ends initially, as are most retired folks. She started responding to an activity suggestion with, “Sure why not, what else do we have to do.” Or she would make a suggestion to me and her clincher would be, “What else do we have to do.”
Time warp to January 2019, and this curmudgeon decided it was time for him to hang up his spurs and lariat. He had wrangled all the bits and bytes he cared to herd. Part of the decision to retire had been due to health issues with Señora Weinhaus. Once she had recuperated to some degree and begin to get a bit antsy the cries of “sure why not, what else do we have to do” were heard in increasing frequency with both of us rattling around the homestead.
Now we are at the tail end of a 6 weeks shelter-at-home mandate due to the coronavirus. At times it was a challenge to occupy both of us in our little cocoon away from COVID-19. A suggestion would be made, and the cry of “sure why not, what else do we have to do” would echo in the old abode.
It has become a bit of a mantra with us during this time of quarantine. The phrase, “sure why not, what else do we have to do” and COVID-19 will be conjoined in my mind from here to eternity.
My mother visited a plantation in Charleston. The guide referred to the civil war as,”The late great unpleasantness.”
I wonder what this time period will be called.