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Things Do Get Better

Hi everyone!

I’m writing from Arizona, the state with all the cactuses, rattlesnakes, and crazy summer heat. Some days in July it can be 46C! I’ve been thinking about the world-changing events that have taken place since I’ve been alive, which is a long time—I’m 63! There have been so many, including wars and terrorist attacks. And they completely upend your life. But I also realize that after the immediate crisis fades away, things do get better. What I remember most about those hard times is how people try to help each other cope with anxiety and sadness. I am under quarantine for 2 weeks, and my neighbors will be doing grocery shopping for me, and lending me books. (They have to leave everything at my front door, so we don’t come into contact.) So be good to one another! It will make a difference right now, and it will be a memory to take through life. I am thinking about you beautiful kids, knowing we will all get through this together.

Ngiyanithanda,   (“love” in Zulu)

Sally

5 Comments on “Things Do Get Better

Zoleka Maphalala
April 27, 2020 at 5:29 am

It may be sad that Sally has been in quarantine to deal with the effects of the virus but it is encouraging to know that there are people thinking of her and supporting her. We are are thinking of all of you too and we hope that everyone will come out of this situation stronger.

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Kwanele Surprise Mali
March 28, 2020 at 8:27 am

🤓 Noted

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Awakhiwe Ntuli
March 26, 2020 at 11:36 am

That’s so sad

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Puleng Makhanya
March 24, 2020 at 5:35 am

Hi Sally thank for your beautiful story but I would like to know you have been leaving for 63 years. Have ever before been this kind of a virus war? The reason am asking is that I have reed somewhere before where it says that this has happen before in 2003 in China and some years after that in Saudi Arabia. How bad was it back then or how true it is?

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Sally Kilbridge
March 24, 2020 at 10:33 am

Hi Puleng! Thank you for writing to me. I’ve lived all over the United States, although I spent most of my life in the New York area before moving to Arizona. I do remember the 2003 SARS outbreak. It was largely confined to Asia, and didn’t become as widespread a problem as the current pandemic. Having said that, my husband was in Hong Kong at the beginning of the SARS outbreak, and so was right in the middle of the crisis. He got back home and was fine (he still is, in fact!) but it was still scary. This time seems much more extreme, but if we are all careful we will make it through together! Please take care of yourself!

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